Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Personal Space

So first of all, I'd like to thank everyone who read this blog and made things happen. My mom emailed me to say that last night on the news they announced that the air marshalls would get to dress regular and not be treated differently. I never thought I had that much influence, but there it is. :) Now, if we could just handle that whole bathroom door thing, life would be sweet.

My second complaint - and this is one I come across more than just while traveling - people encroaching on your personal space.

I am a big personal space person. I will hug you if I like you, but I don't want to stand close to people I don't even know. I don't want them touching me and I definitely don't want to be close enough to smell them or feel them breathing on me.

So where this is very annoying is waiting for your baggage at the airport. Now, I get off the plane and usually make a pit stop (remember I NEVER make people get up so I can go on the plane) then I head across the terminal to get my baggage. People start to congregatge around the conveyor and at first they tend to keep a reasonable distance from each other and stand about five foot from the belt, so that everyone can actually SEE their luggage as it comes by. Then there's those people who show up at the last minute and literally step in between you and the guy next to you and stand directly in front of you, completely blocking your view and definitely invading your personal space.

Inevitably, these people are loud talkers or shifters (people who have to walk in place or do aerobics from one leg to another). Now I travel comfortable because most flights are hot, so I wear hiking sandals. I have to say that San Diego almost lost one of their citizens on Monday, because if he had stepped on my foot one more time, I was going to beat him with my carry-on. And I could have easily taken him.

So again, why do some people think they're so important that they should just push their way to the front then walk all over the people who were standing patiently in line? Are parents not raising children with any manners anymore??????? If we could carry liquids on the plane, I'd be tempted to have one of those mixes that we did as kids that smelled like the boys locker room. I think it was sulfur and something else. Yuck. But I bet no one would want to stand anywhere near me, much less close enough to step on my feet.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good manners are apparently a thing of the past. I'm always shocked when a kid (or even some adults, for that matter) shows courtesy these days. Sad, isn't it?

Colleen Gleason said...

Jana, you are so funny because you're always so right on target with your complaints. Ditto Wendy's sorry on the travel woes, and I just want you to know that I'm going to hug you whenever I see you, so you're just going to have to put up with it.

Jana DeLeon said...

Tori - It's sad isn't it. I have the same reaction to good manners. Once I even stopped in a restuarant and told someone how pleased I was with their child's behavoir because I just don't see it anymore. They understood exactly what I was saying and thanked me profusely for letting them know they were getting it right. Maybe we could send society to that couple for lessons????

Wendy & Colleen - Of course, YOU guys can hug me. I might still draw the line at breathing on me though. :) Unless we're dancing at a gay karaoke bar in Atlanta - right Colleen? :)

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

I think it has to do with the fast pace of the world. Everyone's in a hurry. Everyone's out for themselves. =D Be nice? Be considerate to strangers? Bah humbug! *laughs*

Jana DeLeon said...

LOL Cari - I have solved that problem by bringing the portable dvd player. See headphones.....no talkie.

Kelly - I hear you on the bah humbug. Still, I have a feeling all those people are going to regret their actions when it comes back on them ten-fold. I don't put anything out there I don't want back on me. Karma's a bitch.

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

Jana, did you get my email yesterday? I just wanted to make sure since you're using a new email. THanks!

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Totally agree on the personal space thing.
My pet peeve is people who are behind you at the grocery store and keep inching up behind you, as if getting closer will somehow speed things up.

And don't get me started on holiday shoppers... I'd be hard pressed to find anyone with manners in the whole bunch.

Jana DeLeon said...

Hi Kelly - I think I got your email - I'm pretty sure. But I'll go check as soon as I'm off of here.

Alyssa - Oh no! Holidays are the worst! I do my shopping before the end of September so I can avoid it all. Grocery stores are also not good - or the bank - or the post office. (sigh)

Colleen Gleason said...

I agree: gay karaoke bars are out of bounds. Anything goes there, eh?

Jana DeLeon said...

Absolutely anything! :)

 
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