How Much Personal Space Do You Need?

Have you ever considered how much personal space a person needs? I think it all depends on the circumstances. There should be personal space laws. Here are mine discussed in length depending on the particular situations.

While standing in line at the bank a month ago, there was only about 4 people in line, but I was standing near the beginning of the roped of line. Why? Because the 3 people ahead of me were line 6 foot apart or so it seemed. When a bank teller would prompt the next person to approach for customer service, I was thinking the line would at least move up 6 foot but noooo. They moved like one small step. I, on the other hand, move up as much as comfortably possible so that people behind me feel like progress is being made. When the person in front of me leaves 6 foot between themselves and the person ahead f them, I'm screaming in my head "MOVE!!! Come on....MOVE UP!!!" Does a person need 6 feet of personal space in front of them for a buffer zone? Alas, it feels like the like takes forever when the line finally moves in this manner.

How much personal space do you need while sitting in a chair? Well, I feel entirely different about this situation compared to standing in line being mobile. While sitting in a waiting room or in a movie theater, I do not want my chair touching another chair. Why? I don't know. I guess I feel invaded on genuine personal space. I feel like the chair I am sitting in for the moment is my home and personal space while I wait. I don't want anyone looking over my shoulder or listening to my conversation, so move your chair away from my personal space

In the case of a movie theater, well, let's just say, we have no choice in that matter. I was at the theater just a week ago and some poor soul who weighed probably 500 pounds sat next to me. I'm not small by any means but I felt small on this particular night. I felt sorry for the guy actually. I know he had to be more uncomfortable sitting there as I was having him sit next to me. His rolls of blubber overflowed into my personal space and onto my side and unless I really tried to lean over to my husband's side, this guys' thighs were touching my legs. Invasion! Invasion! I call this drastic invasion of my personal space!

The same personal space law goes for church pews. If the church sanctuary isn't crowded and there's plenty of room, why sit so close that you are touching the next person? Leave a good 10-12 inches beside the person you want to sit with and that is plenty of personal space to have while still allowing for a heart to heart talk or share a deep discussion with a fellow parishioner. This rule doesn't apply if the person you are sitting with is related by blood. Personal space laws do not apply when it's your child, sibling, spouse or parent.

Oh my, now how can we discuss the plight of airplane seating in regards to personal space? I have only flown twice and my experience tells me it's not my favorite thing to do. Sitting that close to others triggers my claustrophobic symptoms. I start to feel like I can't breath. I have to put my mind elsewhere and pretend I am not there. I need room to move! I have to read so I forget where I am. It should be against the law to have coach seating. I have never flown 1^st class but can only imagine how nice it must be to have wider seats so that your body parts aren't touching the person next to you. Airplanes have no regard for personal spaces.

Riding in an elevator is almost as bad as riding in an airplane and I will go out of my way to avoid an overcrowded elevator. If an elevator door opens and there is no one or few in the elevator, I will enter. If the elevator stops on other floors to allow more passengers, I will move toward the front by the door and not budge. I learned my lesson the hard way many years ago when my personal space was severely invaded. I was pushed to the back space invaders and I quickly felt like a sardine. I had to yell "let me out of here!" as I pushed my way out leaving my husband behind. I took the stairway. I think there is almost nothing worse than people's disregard for a person's personal space, especially on an elevator. What are they thinking? Can you imagine getting stuck on an elevator packed to the gills like that? It will not happened to me. I take charge of my personal space. I just wish others had the same consideration.