When in public, what do you say when someone is standing too close to you?
August 22, 2025
When in public, what do you say when someone is standing too close to you?
25 comments
I step away myself unless that’s impossible to do.
If necessary, “excuse me, could I have a little more space please?”
I mean it only happens if it’s really crowded, and in that case it is what it is. If not I would just move. Could be a cultural thing, but it doesn’t really happen where I live, everyone likes personal space.
If I have a cart I put it in between us if not ill often flip my hair dramatically and its usually long enough to either hit them a little or get directly in their face. one time I was having a bad day so I just turned around said “excuse you” and stared at them, that one was honestly my favorite and I would do it again
Please move aside. With a hand gesture.
Nothing. I just step back. If it happens again, raise my elbows.
If person doesn’t get the hint I’d tell them to move because I already did
I bump into people to remind them that they’re in my space.
“Please give me space.”
It always works.
Nothing. Just be uncomfortable.
Stare at them and then tell them to back up if I can’t move away 😭 like we should not be body to body!!! I swear some people are ridiculous
Just keep moving away little by little and act awkward till I disappear
I just move away
Initially, I don’t say anything. I just move away from them. If they follow, then I say, “You’re standing too close to me. Get out of my personal space.” Usually loud enough for others to hear. I find drawing attention to someone’s inappropriate behavior typically discourages them from continuing.
“hi, can i have a bit more space please?”
stare ahead of yourself and mutter any of these:
“did you bring the money”
“I thought they’d send someone younger/older today”
“hmmmm yes that’s right closer closer let me smell your PORES”
and other freaky shit
people should have the social awareness to give each other space; if they don’t – this will make ’em think about it. Hopefully.
dead stares into their face work too
“I’m holding a thermal detonator.”
[removed]
Do you want to hug me?
OR
I didn’t know we were shopping together
[removed]
I move myself. If that doesn’t work I glare at the person until they feel as uncomfortable as me.
Assert dominance. Widen my stance, stick my arms out, fling my hair purposely in their direction so it wacks them and gives them the hint to move the fuck away.
Sneeze loudly into your hand. Flail your hand around like you’re trying to fling something off. Maybe fart audibly.
I move. If they’re still too close, I say “excuse me you’re too close, can you back up.”
Not going to lie, sometimes I’m rude. Like if I’m in line and someone keeps inching they’re way closer to me even though I moved I might say “damn, even with Covid ppl still don’t learn how to give people space” or “wtf why are you so close to me, back up”. Clearly I’m annoyed at that point.
I just move away because I generally think everyone else is so busy up in their own heads and life thought processes that I don’t take things personally. Not everything is a threat or about me.
Move .
I typically put my hands up in front of my chest and push lightly towards them with a smile and say excuse me and he/she gets the hint and moves. It’s always worked for me as a woman.
25 comments
I step away myself unless that’s impossible to do.
If necessary, “excuse me, could I have a little more space please?”
I mean it only happens if it’s really crowded, and in that case it is what it is. If not I would just move. Could be a cultural thing, but it doesn’t really happen where I live, everyone likes personal space.
If I have a cart I put it in between us if not ill often flip my hair dramatically and its usually long enough to either hit them a little or get directly in their face. one time I was having a bad day so I just turned around said “excuse you” and stared at them, that one was honestly my favorite and I would do it again
Please move aside. With a hand gesture.
Nothing. I just step back. If it happens again, raise my elbows.
If person doesn’t get the hint I’d tell them to move because I already did
I bump into people to remind them that they’re in my space.
“Please give me space.”
It always works.
Nothing. Just be uncomfortable.
Stare at them and then tell them to back up if I can’t move away 😭 like we should not be body to body!!! I swear some people are ridiculous
Just keep moving away little by little and act awkward till I disappear
I just move away
Initially, I don’t say anything. I just move away from them. If they follow, then I say, “You’re standing too close to me. Get out of my personal space.” Usually loud enough for others to hear. I find drawing attention to someone’s inappropriate behavior typically discourages them from continuing.
“hi, can i have a bit more space please?”
stare ahead of yourself and mutter any of these:
“did you bring the money”
“I thought they’d send someone younger/older today”
“hmmmm yes that’s right closer closer let me smell your PORES”
and other freaky shit
people should have the social awareness to give each other space; if they don’t – this will make ’em think about it. Hopefully.
dead stares into their face work too
“I’m holding a thermal detonator.”
[removed]
Do you want to hug me?
OR
I didn’t know we were shopping together
[removed]
I move myself. If that doesn’t work I glare at the person until they feel as uncomfortable as me.
Assert dominance. Widen my stance, stick my arms out, fling my hair purposely in their direction so it wacks them and gives them the hint to move the fuck away.
Sneeze loudly into your hand. Flail your hand around like you’re trying to fling something off. Maybe fart audibly.
I move. If they’re still too close, I say “excuse me you’re too close, can you back up.”
Not going to lie, sometimes I’m rude. Like if I’m in line and someone keeps inching they’re way closer to me even though I moved I might say “damn, even with Covid ppl still don’t learn how to give people space” or “wtf why are you so close to me, back up”. Clearly I’m annoyed at that point.
I just move away because I generally think everyone else is so busy up in their own heads and life thought processes that I don’t take things personally. Not everything is a threat or about me.
Move .
I typically put my hands up in front of my chest and push lightly towards them with a smile and say excuse me and he/she gets the hint and moves. It’s always worked for me as a woman.