Thursday, March 5, 2009

Keeping The Distance

Our personal zone is that space surrounding us that makes us feel uncomfortable and on guard when intruded upon by someone we don't trust, usually a stranger. For many of us that zone is dynamic depending on the situation. It's funny how we'll crowd close enough into an elevator car so that we're actually touching and we're okay with that because everyone's personal space is compressed. Then five people get off on one floor. Now everyone else in the car spreads out and they're essentially equidistant from each other. A couple more people get out and the process repeats itself.

So there's a couple things you can do if you want to kind of freak someone out. If the elevator is full try to stand so that you trap someone in a corner. As the car empties, don't move. If the elevator is sparsely occupied when you get on then stand right next to one of the people already there. They'll either squirm out from behind you or just be very uncomfortable.

But be careful not to make them too uncomfortable...um...you know...not that I'm speaking from experience. I'm just sayin'.

4 comments:

Pat S said...

You're gonna need some help getting out of jail. Feel free to call me, but let's not make a habit out of this.

Michael J. Parks said...

Hank, Your uncle and I had the somewhat similart experience in Prague on a bus...except when when we got off, Mike's wallet was missing!! auntjanet

Hank Greer said...

Janet,

I was going to mention how this also applies while riding a bus--at least in Spokane--but it didn't occur to me that someone could use this to pick your pocket. Bummer.

Anonymous said...

Try this on an elevator: Stand with your back to the door and face the people in the car. Freaks them out.