Man stood too close

[DustyLee123]

I was in a queue yesterday and an elderly man stood very close to me, I could feel his breath. I tried moving forward, tried a cough, but no, he stayed close and I felt uncomfortable.
How do you ask someone to move back without looking like a loony? I know if I did it I’d feel really uncomfortable, and no doubt he’d say something, but I really need to get better in these situations. I’m normally a feisty person, but somehow don’t seem to be able to handle this.

I really wish women would stop caring what they "look" like. That man didn't care how you felt, why care about his opinion of you?

I hate queues and had men and women stand too close to me and I hate it even more so because of Covid. A few times I've felt breasts in mt back - I just move, look back and step to one side and stand sideways - I too am not sure to say toese ignorant men and women

This happens to me a lot. Also 5ft. I think it's to do with being short. I hate it and it makes me feel claustrophobic. Normally I have a rucksack with me so I just swing that around, swapping shoulders, getting stuff out and hauling it back on etc to clear them back a bit. In the supermarket I'll walk in front of the trolley and use the trolley to force them back a bit.

I did a self defence course years ago and they said if someone is standing too close to you don't step away from them, step towards them. Apparently if you crowd someone it's automatic for them to step away.

I've done it several times and it's never failed.

Alternatively, I agree entirely with @HighLlamas

Step back on their foot.

Would you mind moving back a little please?

I loved the social distancing of COVID, and value the literal space it gave me not to have someone up my jacksie. I don't hesitate to turn round and say: I'm socially distancing, thank you.

Why is everyone "ND" according to MN 🤦‍♀️😂

I step forward with one foot and leave the other leg behind me to make some space when this happens. I realise this sounds a bit odd now I’ve written it down

A very loud, "BACK OFF, MAN" while holding out an arm works for me.

I shift position to stand sideways, one leg angled out to the side nearest the culprit to reclaim the space between us. If I've a shopping basket I rest it on the side of that leg and move it about a bit to claim more space. This has the advantage of having them in your peripheral vision in case they were trying to pickpocket.

🤣🤣

I'm not able to ask them to move back so I usually get a bit jumpy and if they don't move i leave. It happened to me earlier today in costa, another one who is just over 5ft and a tall man came and stood so close behind me. I'm drained today and feel really flat so I literally walked out. I have

Thinking back I get the impression that he was maybe in a hurry, and wanting to pay ASAP. Or maybe that’s the way he always is.
If I’d let him go ahead I think he might have seen it as a victory, so made a habit of it, and I don’t want him doing it to other women.
I thought my cough might work, but it seems that covid times have been forgotten already!