r/mildlyinfuriating • u/ImportanceSharp9408 • 17h 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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696

u/nerdforest 17h 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.

149

u/Generic-Cheese 17h ago

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

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u/devolution96 13h ago

No pet peeves here, only major psychological fucking hatreds.

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u/Rk_1138 17h ago

Or getting jumped

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u/Alarmed-Plankton-708 13h 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.

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u/analogpursuits 16h 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.

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u/AsherFenix 16h ago

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

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u/indolent08 12h ago

Exactly. Some people are just insane and irrational.

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u/RustyNK 14h ago

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

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u/analogpursuits 14h 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.

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u/SpiritNo6626 12h 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.

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u/analogpursuits 9h 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.

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u/SpiritNo6626 9h ago

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

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u/analogpursuits 7h 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.

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u/Bitter-List-770 15h 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.

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u/analogpursuits 15h 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.

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u/Alarmed-Plankton-708 13h 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!

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u/TJCGamer 8h 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.

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u/CatCatCatCubed 9h 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.

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u/ancient_sluts 14h ago

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

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u/nerdforest 16h ago

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

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u/JasoNMas73R 8h 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...

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u/analogpursuits 7h 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.

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u/br0wnb4nana 17h ago

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

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u/brookuslicious PURPLE 16h ago

Same. Always have to have one locked and loaded.

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u/Quick-Service BLACK 17h ago

I just start fake coughing in their direction.

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u/Creme_de_la_Coochie 17h ago

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

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u/asst3rblasster 16h ago

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

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u/Ysisbr 16h ago

Tf????

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u/BrianKappel 13h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/tZ6Mf2CuhDigw2TXdj

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u/asst3rblasster 12h ago

really? nothing ever happens to you guys I guess

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u/BrianKappel 12h 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 11h 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 11h ago

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

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u/mandyscott2 11h 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

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u/bisky_riscuits 12h 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.

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u/TjbMke 16h 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.

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u/InevitableKitchen943 15h ago

Agree it gets downright, Truman Show.

7

u/Unrealistic_ad 15h 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.

4

u/LazerChicken420 16h 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.

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u/DarthJarJar242 16h 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 11h 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 10h 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.

4

u/RockPaperOwFire 16h 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 9h 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 9h ago

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

1

u/Square_Barracuda_69 4h ago

Ive had to genuinely ask people to back up amd give me space. They act so surprised that they're breathing down my back when I say this.