People standing really close to you

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This really ANNOYS me when strangers stand right close to me, like when I'm in a supermarket trying to concentrate on looking for something and suddenly someone else appears right next to me or right behind me wanting to look for the same thing. I feel like punching them. Like, can't they wait a few seconds????! !! !! !! !! !! !!

OK, it's mostly women who do this, and I've even practically been pushed out of the way before. Men are that more patient (OK, this is probably why I'm inpatient - I'm not a man!)

Anyone else feel the same anyway?

Yes, it annoys me too. I usually stand back a bit from the display, so I can see it properly. Then, someone comes in and stands right in front of me - am I invisible or something?

But, people have different personal space needs. I've been known to do a dance with someone with a smaller personal space requirement than me. As they step forwards, I step back and, if there's enough space, we eventually waltz around the room.

This is one of the things from my childhood that makes me think I must have AS.* That and the hating eye contact, playing with toys differently, obsessions and various other things. As an adult I pass all the tests, but psychologists want to know about childhood. I had one best friend and used to sing to him that "Police" song: "Don't Stand So Close To Me!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j75tJNYwWkY

Today I learned that the song is actually about forbidden love, not Aspergers. But the words still apply.

* I'm not officially diagnosed yet. Psychiatrist thinks yes, but has referred me to a specialist.

My 5yr old daughter sings this a lot. I'll have to ask her if it means anything to her or if she just likes it.

I've gotten better about this but I used to internally FREAK out whenever anyone was close to me. I'd feel like that side of my body was on fire. It would feel very warm and tingly and not at all in a pleasant way.

I still stand back from things when there are other people around it and wait for the people to clear before I go get what I want (eg supermarket) but other people usually crowd in right on past me so I end up waiting for a long time.

What do they think I am doing standing there next to the shelf??

I do not like it when people stand too close to me either. I feel like it is an invasion of my personal space. I wonder what these people's reasoning is for standing this close?

The worst thing I can remember was standing in a lift, when I was about 8 months pregnant. There was someone standing in front of me, side on, touching my bump with their hip, obviously unaware that it was there.

It is a bit of a bother to not be able to look at something from the angle I want to. Other than that, people's presences are irritating/uninteresting or irritating/interesting no matter how much distance there is between them and me.

I acually did once. I asked the guy to "please back off a little" (where I was standing, I couldn't get away without pushing past him) he told me to "f--- off." I was already stressed enough, so I swung. I feel bad about it, I have better self-control nowadays. But I bet that now that guy backs off when asked.



I think opposite genders have a little more respect for each other's space. In my experience, it's men that stand too close. Or maybe I just don't mind when it's a woman.

That sounds like the absolute worst situation I could possibly envision happening to me ever (for reasons beyond the obvious). World-wide apocalypse included.

This is how I feel also. I've pushed people alway from me who have invaded my personal space because I asked them nicely and they refused or they were just too damn aggressive about it.

I have a friend who does this. She's awesome but this really bugs me. The other day when she did it I took an obvious, big step backwards, but I don't know if she got it. I'll probably have to tell her about it some time soon.

Actually, sometimes I just can't wait a few seconds, and obviously intrude someone's personal space... I can be that impatient. I've been objected at this. However, I've gotten better in recent years. Other times I keep the distance and do my shopping as fast as I can, e.g. measuring veggies.

Now I have that song stuck in my head...

I definately have this issue if I don't expect the person to come so close to me. I would lightly shove them to prove my point, then they would back off. (I'm not exactly small, either. I wonder if this helps. )

i think there is no reasoning, its not a big deal for them but it depends on the culture too

I've noticed that Asian people REALLY invade my space in the supermarket. They also drive their carts right in front of me and cut me off. Also, they will stand in front of something everyone wants (like eggs, for example) and not move while people are literally bending all over the place trying to get to the item.
Oh, and I'm talking about Asian people from Asia, not Asian-Americans. I'm not being racist, I'm noting what is probably a cultural difference. I would guess there's less space and more jostling in grocery stores in Asia. What I don't understand is how they don't notice all the pizzed-off looks they get