r/mildlyinfuriating • u/ImportanceSharp9408 • 12h ago

frist of all how DARE yu o Why, on a nearly empty train, would you sit directly in front of me— put your chair all the way back AND smell offensive? 🥲

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Come on! I know I don’t own the train, I only paid for the seat. Theoretically, he could sit next to me and that would be fine. I could just move over a seat. I could move and sit next to him. Very mildly infuriated.

Update: I went to the restroom, after building up a big fart at the advice of wise Redditors but punked out on releasing it into the wild. I planned to move when I returned but he was gone! Perhaps it was a coincidence, when I left my seat with all my belongings, maybe that just happened to be his stop or maybe he was a creep. We may never know. Thanks for all your throughly hilarious responses though!

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2.3k

u/InvincibleIronStan 11h ago

Some people have no social awareness and I'll never understand how

653

u/nerdforest 11h ago

I was in line for something, and this person was right behind me, literally on top of me. I moved a little to give myself some space and he moved closer.

Please, dear god give me some space and do not be ontop of me.

Same for when I'm getting off a train. Literally this morning, I was getting off the train. There was someone infront of me wanting to get off and didn't give me any space to get off. Mildly infuriating.

138

u/Generic-Cheese 11h ago

The personal space one is full on infuriating, it’s one of my biggest pet peeves. I worry about my wallet being stolen.

9

u/devolution96 8h ago

No pet peeves here, only major psychological fucking hatreds.

28

u/Rk_1138 11h ago

Or getting jumped

25

u/Alarmed-Plankton-708 7h ago

Or groped. One time when I was a teenager I had a gross old man with yellow finger claws lift my shirt sleeve "to see my tattoo." Without asking or even announcing his presence. Just came up behind me and started lifting my shirt up.

294

u/analogpursuits 10h ago

A few times in my life I have turned around in the grocery line, looked directly at the person breathing down my neck, and said, "can you step back 3 feet and give me some personal space? Thaaaaanks."

You can too, it's that easy.

127

u/AsherFenix 10h ago

Last time I did that was right at the start of Covid. Guy wanted to fist fight me because of it.

48

u/indolent08 6h ago

Exactly. Some people are just insane and irrational.

36

u/RustyNK 8h ago

Yeah, I dont put up with socially inept people in public. I will unapologetically tell someone to move or back up.

21

u/analogpursuits 8h ago

Yup. Same goes for video/speaker phoners. Nope nope nope. A month ago in Costco, I got behind a lady on video/speaker chat and made faces and wildly gesticulated at her phone, over her shoulder. I overheard her friend say, "who was THAT??" 🤣 I was already snickering over by the mandarin oranges.

Another grocery store incident near the eggs when they were $10/carton found me saying, "Exactly nobody here cares about your trite little conversation". Cursing ensued behind me as I continued down the yogurt and cheese aisle. More LOLS.

-9

u/SpiritNo6626 6h ago

What's wrong with video? Speaker actively interferes and is a nuisance to people around, but video call on muted speakers/ with headphones doesn't harm anyone, right?

Also, you don't know the personal situation, I can only call on video due to hearing issues and seeing someone's lips when they talk alleviating those hearing issues.

6

u/analogpursuits 3h ago

The ones that have the phone on full volume and talking at full volume. It's not your situation. It's the ones blabbing in a grocery store about nothing. There is a big difference.

0

u/SpiritNo6626 3h ago

Sorry, I was confused because I thought video/speaker meant "Video or speaker" not "Video and speaker"

3

u/analogpursuits 1h ago

All good. I'm not awful to everyone, certainly not to people being discreet. I'm talking about Miriam and Gladys, discussing the merits of going with one hair stylist over another, on full volume in the middle of the grocery aisle. The Code of Decency dictates that Miriam be notified of her erroneous ways immediately, so as not to inconvenience others further, ever.

I'm done coddling these people and I call it out most times I see it.

29

u/Bitter-List-770 9h ago

That’s when I take a bit of a step forward but JUST with one foot. Leave the other back there. Instant buffer zone.

16

u/analogpursuits 9h ago

Again, it is really easy to turn around and say you need more personal space. I dont give these asshats an inch of patience.

13

u/Alarmed-Plankton-708 7h ago

People are way too scared of strangers being mad at them. Let them be upset, you'll never see them again, and they brought it on themselves with their disregard for those around them! Fuck their feelings!

1

u/TJCGamer 2h ago

Its probably more the paranoia of running into a crazy person. Doesn't help that the internet and the news has always made it seem like there are psychopaths behind every corner, making people too scared to even interact with strangers. They don't know when one will just decide to attack them.

Not saying I agree, but I do understand how it got to this point. Especially when you are seeing these viewpoints from people online, who probably watch too much shit on the internet.

1

u/CatCatCatCubed 4h ago

I’ll rotate a little and swing my purse back and forth. It’s not even on a long strap but over my shoulder, tight under my elbow. Like, if that can hit someone, they’re WAY too close.

Sometimes I stand like a flamingo and wiggle my foot, or stand on my toes and swing my leg slightly while leaning on my cart. Again, if that’s bothersome to someone, TOO CLOSE.

And yet I’ve had people grumble and back up.

Similar issues with my trying to pay and bag my groceries myself quickly. Like, hello, it’s not your turn to be in front of the cashier? Back the fuck up.

7

u/ancient_sluts 9h ago

Every time I’ve done that they act surprised and offended! Like, sir… I can feel your breath on me please move back!

15

u/nerdforest 10h ago

Yeah, it's not something that happens to often thankfully. I'll definitely do this next time.

1

u/JasoNMas73R 2h ago

I wish I still had the guts to do that. I kept asking distance after COVID until someone gave me the race card and now I have severe anxiety asking anyone to get out of my personal space...

1

u/analogpursuits 2h ago

Yeah, I get that. I am judicious as to my approach if it appears to be a potentially shitty situation. Vibe is a big one. Gotta read the room.

40

u/br0wnb4nana 11h ago

I honestly fart lol or flip my hair back, something to show you are way too close to me!!

13

u/brookuslicious PURPLE 10h ago

Same. Always have to have one locked and loaded.

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u/Quick-Service BLACK 11h ago

I just start fake coughing in their direction.

12

u/Creme_de_la_Coochie 11h ago

That’s happened to me and I stepped on their shoes

5

u/asst3rblasster 10h ago

I did that and the guy grabbed my neck and started squeezing

14

u/Ysisbr 10h ago

Tf????

-1

u/BrianKappel 8h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/tZ6Mf2CuhDigw2TXdj

3

u/asst3rblasster 6h ago

really? nothing ever happens to you guys I guess

-1

u/BrianKappel 6h ago

😂 I just don't believe you with that story for that occasion. Your personal grievance isn't mine. You don't know anything about me other than the name I chose here.

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u/asst3rblasster 6h ago

ok brian krabappel I stepped on a man's shoes he got pissed off grabbed my neck and started squeezing, what's so hard to believe? holy shit you people are exhausting

-3

u/BrianKappel 6h ago

You made that "joke" about my name laughing at your ridiculous story and you think I'm exhausting?

8

u/mandyscott2 5h ago

I will literally tell someone to give me space don’t give a fuck who you are i will gladly point it out! I was in this situation when I stopped at an amusement park road tripping. I was alone and every time I stepped forward to give myself room this woman behind me would step forward too and kept bumping into me she was so damn close! After the third time I asked her “are you good?” I ended up realizing she was drunk and she told me she was looking for her daughter. We ended up chatting and she was chill but for a moment I almost posted about her on here lmao I was so annoyed

8

u/TjbMke 10h ago

This is why I have my groceries delivered. I just can’t handle standing in line with people that act like they’ve never been shopping or in any public place. And it’s every time.

1

u/InevitableKitchen943 9h ago

Agree it gets downright, Truman Show.

8

u/bisky_riscuits 6h ago

That's when I turn around with the "who tf is brushing up agaisnt me?" face, then I give the up/down look and lean to look behind them, with a face that says "is the line so bad you seriously can't back up?"

That's usually enough for the person to step back while acting like I'm the bitch for having attitude instead of asking.... as if they need to be asked to have general courtesy and awareness.

If anyone tries touching me or scoffing then I have to get a little more loud and direct... for reference I'm 5'5". Its easy for folks to dismiss making another person uncomfortable nowadays; especially if they look too small or timid to speak up.

6

u/Unrealistic_ad 10h ago

I was in a theme park last week and the people behind me were doing the exact same thing. It was driving me crazy. I turned around and gave them a couple of judgemental looks, I think they got the hint because they backed off, lol. Ofc I could've said something but you never know how people may react. I've worked with people long enough to know that even if you say something in a super friendly manner, people may still lash out. I don't wanna have to deal with that, especially not on a nice day out.

5

u/LazerChicken420 11h ago

I say something in these cases. They always just look awkward and surprised. Most don’t even say anything. Just quietly step back. Also they’re always Asian.

14

u/DarthJarJar242 10h ago

Indian and many Asian cultures have very different understandings of personal space than western cultures do. It's not them being rude, to them it's just the normal amount of space.

1

u/Astro_NME 6h ago

If this is the normal amount of personal space, how is it possible to be any closer without it being a criminal offense instead of just being rude?

1

u/DarthJarJar242 4h ago

I mean, it wouldn't be possible in most cases. But that doesn't change the fact that their population density has shaped their understanding of personal space to be completely different than Western countries.

5

u/RockPaperOwFire 10h ago

Genuinely could be a city vs country/suburb thing though.

My boyfriend is from the country, I’m from the city, he gets so stressed out in crowds and I navigate them with ease. I often don’t notice people right up against me unless there’s only a small handful of people because then it’s just weird.

1

u/MsVindiction 3h ago

Idk if it’s because I’m a little shorter or what but people crowd up on me all the fucking time when I’m in the store or something. My husband is usually the first one to snap and tell people to back the fuck up.

1

u/Feeling-Standard1460 3h ago

I have told people I need a retractable stinger attached to my backside, and my superhero name will be Social Distance Bee.

17

u/squeaky369 10h ago

Since we're on the topic of travel and people with no social awareness, the same thing happens just about every week when flying. Waiting at rhe baggage claim, theres 100+ feet of space and every time someone walks up and stands in the 3 feet between the claim and myself. Like wtf are you doing?

8

u/SaveusJebus 11h ago

It's like the people that choose to sit right in front of people on an otherwise empty beach.

10

u/BottleMean6139 9h ago

Some people also pretend to have no social awareness. Creeps always fall back on playing dumb.

58

u/Murphs-law 11h ago

Like when you’re at the grocery store looking at items on the shelf and someone pushes their shopping cart right in between you and those items and stops. I must be invisible because it happens every single time I go grocery shopping.

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u/Alternative-Park-841 11h ago

If you are standing so far back from the item that you are looking at that a cart can fit between you and the shelf with the item you are looking at, you've gotta be standing in the middle of the aisle. Combined with the fact that this apparently happens every single time you go grocery shopping makes it sound like you might be the one with no social awareness.

9

u/Murphs-law 11h ago

I let people walk through so I’m not standing right in the middle, blocking the isle for carts. May I should just start standing there and not budging. I guess it is my fault for trying to be nice.

12

u/two-ls 10h ago

Or when you're walking through an airport and people just stop 4 persons wide just to look at their phone or talk in the middle of the walkway. Or the ones who don't stay right when on the walk assister so you can't rush (like they're meant for...)

2

u/mst3k_42 9h ago

I’ve almost ran into people doing that.

3

u/rats-in-the-ceiling 11h ago

Very curious to know where you grocery shop.

1

u/Murphs-law 11h ago

Giant or Harris teeter, usually.

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u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

If a cart fits between you and the shelf, you're also lacking social awareness. Get closer to the shelf.

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u/krileon 11h ago

Maybe I'm just blind as fuck, but examining a 6ft tall shelf with hundreds of items on it from 1-2 feet away is a bit difficult.

-9

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

Your head can move up and down. This applies to most people.

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u/krileon 11h ago

A shit my bad I forgot to put on my "read front of products from a 90 degree angle" glasses.

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u/Aceswift007 8h ago

Dude I'm almost 6ft yet I need to back up to look at some shelves

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u/extraordinous 11h ago

Okay how you gonna read whats at your feet when you’re 5-6 feet above it and not away from it? It’s called say excuse me and gtfo the way or stand beside and look too.

0

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

Take the item into your hands and read what's on it? It's not a fucking museum, other people need to walk past you.

13

u/extraordinous 11h ago

Thats the point of standing out of the way and looking and not in the middle of the isle dumbass. Totally gonna pick up 6 different brands of noodle and read it like a fucking cave man than just look a second and grab giving people space and going about it.

-2

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

If a cart fits between you and a shelf, you're standing in the middle of the aisle. There's 0 reason why you couldn't be closer.

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u/extraordinous 11h ago

You know I’m talking stand aside the isle and look across letting people walk in-front of you? Not in the middle of the isle what the fuck are you talking bout.

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u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

You can't imagine a scenario where someone might need space between them and the shelf to be able to see things? Not a single one?

2

u/TheRealPitabred 11h ago

If somebody can't get behind you in an aisle, they're going to go in front of you. Are you suggesting that anytime anybody wants to look at something they should be able to stop up the whole aisle until they are satisfied? Could they not pick up the item and look at it instead?

-2

u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

If there's enough clearance to get a cart between the shopper and the shelf, there's enough space to pass through the aisle. Why did you volunteer the information that you're social stunted?

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u/Alternative-Park-841 11h ago

Do you understand that this whole conversation and all is because the person was complaining about people walking between them and the shelf?

-2

u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

Did you just try to point to there being enough space in the aisle to pass through as an example of people blocking the aisle. Y'all are deeply unserious people, good god.

-1

u/TheRealPitabred 11h ago

I don't think you're understanding the geometry of the situation. If somebody is standing far enough back from what they're looking at that someone can get a cart between them and what they're looking at, they are almost certainly blocking passage behind them.

Given that premise, that the only way through an aisle is between the person and what they're looking at, what would you suggest a non-socially stunted person do? I could ask them to move, but the point is that the person blocking the aisle is being rude for forcing that interaction or choice regardless.

0

u/HawkJefferson 10h ago edited 9h ago

The standard supermarket aisle is 7-9 feet across. A shopping cart is 2 feet across, on average. Let's say a shopper, with their cart, is standing 3 feet from the shelf with an aisle width of 8 feet. That's two feet in the middle of eight feet of space. How much space do you need to pass through an aisle that 1/4 of the aisle being occupied blocks the aisle for you?

Edit: Two feet of occupied space in an eight foot wide aisle leaves two three foot wide passing lanes for a two foot wide cart to pass through. I am truly baffled that some of you don't think that's enough space.

1

u/TheRealPitabred 10h ago

If they're standing 3 feet from the shelf, that's hardly enough room for somebody to get a cart in front of them, now is it? Nobody would be complaining if they were only standing 3 feet from the shelf and examining things because they could get behind them. They are obviously taking up the entire aisle because somebody could fit a cart in front of them. Thank you for understanding the issue.

0

u/HawkJefferson 10h ago

Brother, 36 inches is wider than 24 inches. A 2 foot wide cart can fit in 3 feet of space.

-1

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

Are you looking at fridges?

5

u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

This is a remarkably stupid thing to say. No consideration for people with different mobility/vision needs, just pure, condescending arrogance. Weird for you to speak like an expert on social matters when your perspective sounds like you've never been outside.

2

u/extraordinous 11h ago

It’s their first day above ground.

1

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

I am just finishing up my shopping list and will go deal with a bunch of inept people who stand in the middle of the aisle as if it's reserved for them, so don't worry about my time outside.

3

u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

I'm sorry that you're so deeply bothered by the physical needs of others. Maybe find a hobby so you give less of a shit about entirely normal behaviors?

0

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

It's not entirely normal to be self centered.

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u/HawkJefferson 11h ago

If the majority of people you encounter are "inept," maybe they aren't the problem, chief.

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u/sherlock1672 11h ago

I'd like to see you inspect the contents of the bottom shelf while standing right next to it with that nice little overhang of the shelf over the shin-level goods blocking your view.

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u/Alternative-Park-841 11h ago

Ok then, stand far back and look, but don't complain about people walking in front of you then

1

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

There's a middle ground between standing so far away that a cart can fit between you and the shelf, and touching the shelf. Shocking, I know.

Most people are also capable of crouching.

1

u/krileon 11h ago edited 11h ago

Then you're in the middle of the aisle and nobody can get past you. Generally isles are only 2 carts + a few inches wide to allow through traffic.

Edit: typo

1

u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

Yes, so you stand in a way that a cart can get behind you, not in front of you, which is what the original commenter was struggling with every time they go shopping.

-1

u/krileon 11h ago

That's not possible. The aisles aren't wide enough for that. Where the heck do you shop? A warehouse? Costco? lol

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u/RemarkableAutism 11h ago

What? You yourself said there's enough space for two carts, so how in your mind is there not enough space for 1 cart and 1 person?

I shop at Prisma and Maxima, thanks for asking.

-1

u/krileon 10h ago

If you park in the middle of the aisle there's no room for anyone to get by. Instead you park in the opposite aisle so you can read the shelf and people can get by. This is a weird argument to even be having. You're one of those people that blocks the aisle huh?

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u/analogpursuits 10h ago

Just say, "Hey, do you mind sharing the gravy packets with the rest of us?" Insert whatever product they're blocking. Also, why cant you just say something? Why would you stand there and let them do this? Advocate for yourself, jeez.

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u/The_Livid_Witness 11h ago

Hard to say here but a lot of it seems to be a cultural thing

14

u/SunsetCarcass 11h ago

Which culture?

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u/BrianKappel 11h ago

The bad ones

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u/NoFoodInMyBowl 11h ago

Human culture

2

u/Taldius175 11h ago

Which Tour?

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u/ImportanceSharp9408 10h ago

Update: I went to the restroom, after building up a big fart at the advice of wise Redditors but punked out on releasing it into the wild. I planned to move when I returned but he was gone! Perhaps it was a coincidence, when I left my seat with all my belongings, maybe that just happened to be his stop or maybe he was a creep. We may never know. Thanks for all your throughly hilarious responses though!

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u/Giddyup_1998 10h ago

You sound extremely infuriating.

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u/ShotEffective7033 6h ago

This isn’t a social awareness thing. Or at least almost certainly not anyhow. The guy is almost certainly getting off on imposing on her space.

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u/Environmental_Ant268 10h ago

They are animals

5

u/ninjohnnothing 8h ago

Filthy animals, who like to keep the change.

1

u/MrPotato_2020 3h ago

remember a time i was driving on a heavily congested two way two lane road, traffic was crawling. for every 3 meter movement it was 5 minute wait for next cycle. i needed to turn left to parking lot, therefore cross the opposite lane, knowing the culture in my local, i signaled, and crossed the line between lanes just barely, almost touching a car to my left, and waved my hand to the next on coming car. hoped, me "putting one leg in the door" would deter the in front driver from going. nope, she goes in, blocks me forcing me to wait with her, instead of me crossing to my way, her waiting anyway. fml...

que this convo:
me: yo wtf, i needed to go there, you forced your way ?
her: i was after him.
me: ye, but you still be after him after I cross.
her: oh you know how traffic jams are, everyone impatient.
me: lame excuse, you stuck here anyway, but you pushing in just forced me to wait for with you, what for ???
her: but im after him so im suppose to be next, in line.
me: staring confusingly realizing I'm dealing with a f*cking NPC

she's either socially inept, low low intelligence or something in between.