Increasingly hate sitting next to people

I think the people saying it's gross etc are the extreme types who don't answer the door etc.

I agree with @CrazyGoatLady

During the pandemic, when social distancing was at its height, I'd never felt so comfortable going out. I didn't mind wearing masks - I quite enjoyed muttering insults under my breath and people couldn't tell who was talking.

I thought it was wonderful that people had to have that 2m distance. It would be great if that was still the norm.

I actually enjoyed supermarket shopping where the dots were on the floor to separate people in queues.

I have no idea why people need to stand so close to anyone else.

When my children were small and we happened to be queuing, I would pretend that I was picking nits out of their hair. It was amazing how much extra space you could get with that rouse.

I completely understand the logistics of seating arrangements and have to prepare myself beforehand so that I can tolerate it. But in general when standing still/queuing why do people insist on standing on top of you? It's very passive/aggressive.

Bring back social distancing or at least manners.

My daughters and grandchildren are diagnosed with autism - thinking I'm possibly autistic too.

I’m with you, though I didn’t do any cowering at home perforce — we had just moved countries and a house purchase fell through, so we ended up in a tiny Airbnb in the countryside with no one for miles to cower from!

But I absolutely agree with the principle that the world and its other inhabitants are by and large interesting, and I like encountering them. I am in introvert (in the true sense, not in the Mn sense), so I do also need solo time to balance my sociable side, but I’m always interested to meet people, and don’t seem to encounter any where near as many smelly, noisy inconsiderate people on public transport as some Mners.

Ha, it's funny how the same event can have such different effects on different people.

So am I. I like my own space at home but I'm not going to cower and avoid people and the wider public.

No you aren't. I'm with you.

Same here.

People are all different I suppose. I do feel for the children of people who can't envisage dealing with public spaces and people any more. It must impact on them.

Thanks for not judging.
It's really just solitude I would like.

The pandemic taught me that I am never, ever going to cower at home again. I like people and going out, and I think most people are fine. Not smelly, gross, rude or inconsiderate, by and large. But I am alone in that on MN!

It taught me the exact opposite. I like my own company, live alone and that’s how I want it. . The pandemic taught me that I enjoy getting out and about with other people more than I had thought. I say no far less often now, and seek out experiences with others - wither friends and family or going to events alone and being with strangers.

Not everyone feels like that.

I have voted YANBU as you can't help how you feel. I do think though that society in general would think YABU.
I feel much the same as you. Close friends or family are fine but strangers are something else- I hate sitting next to a stranger. I have misophonia and also a very strong sense of smell. Two examples spring to mind- 1. at the theatre a woman next to me clicked her false nails together throughout the show and I wanted to scream.

1. When I used to get the bus to work, a very smart looking lady often sat next to me. Her perfume/make up/some other cosmetic smelled really sickly and made me almost gag.

I certainly suspect the strangeness of people and their levels of aversion to others are much more prevalent on here than in real life. Thankfully I find that people in real life are less complicated.

I feel for you @Nothatgingerpirate and hope you get your happy life soon.
I escaped from my nightmare last year and it is blissfully peaceful on my own.

I’m pretty gross, to be fair but wherever I go to get away from me I go too. No escape from me for me.

Yes, of course.
It doesn't seem enough, though. The desire is now for a permanent change. I know, nasty.
🙁

It’s why I like working from home and hate going on public transport.

Strangely I have travelled on planes my entire life. It didn’t bother me being sat next to a stranger in the last but now it does.
I think Covid made me realise how much I value my own personal space. Plus in the past I was never seated next to anyone who tried to take up my space. Again, the population wasn’t as fat.
As posters have pointed out, no devices blaring out annoying everyone either.

Yep 100% what Crazygoatlady has written.

I can’t stand to be squashed in by some, usually male, overweight person thinking they can take up the space I have paid for.
I’m no skinny Minnie but by god a lot of the younger generation cannot go anywhere with eating and drinking. Unless they seriously cut down their intake they are going to become obese.

Can't you do things on your own? I am married a long time but still do stuff on my own.

Nah. Most of them.arent.

Are they? I'm not. Are you?

Don't mind sitting next to people, strangers or friends. Do mind, massively, them touching me and me touching them.
I think the issue is too many people being squeezed into too little space.

Shock, horror you could try talking to them......

Yes, it is.
However, he hasn't done anything wrong as far as I'm concerned, no kids, and he's 75 (all by choice).
He's a decent man and walking away is something I cannot manage.
The living on my own might be harder than I imagine, one day, anyway!