Have you ever done this on a bus?

[MrsHoodwink]

Not really an AIBU but I really need to know. If the bus is empty except for a couple of people, have you ever sat down directly next to someone? And if so why

I mean a stranger obviously, and if this has happened to you what (if anything) did you say to that person?

I can’t comprehend the logic in it at all So far I’ve just sat silently wondering why me but in the future think I might say something!

This doesn’t include people with disabilities that have no social boundaries or would like to be close to someone (maybe due to fear or anxiety), I can totally respect that.

It’s weird isn’t it?

I find it the same with car parks. I always park out the way - Aldi is a good example!

There’s loads of spaces, I’m around 40 minutes shopping. By the time I’m back at the car I can guarantee that someone has parked right next me. Of all the spaces to choose from 😂

people have mentioned that people do it because they are anxious, well im anxious when people sit next to me!

I was once on a very quiet train. There was myself and another woman in the entire carriage. The woman was on her mobile obviously making a work call. Then a family got on with prams and instead of sitting together they sat around the woman and were very loud whilst she was on the phone. I was bemused as to why they had say where there did. The woman moved.

Happened to me yesterday in an almost hospital waiting room. I was sat quietly in the corner with a coffee and a magazine waiting for MIL and lo a man sat right next to me, so close that I couldn’t hold the magazine open without elbowing him in the ribs.

I sometimes wish I wasn’t so polite. I wonder what he’d have done if I hadn’t adjusted my position?

Almost empty gah. I wonder what an almost waiting room actually is.

I feel this way with regards to gyms and folk coming on the machine next to me.

I also get up and move when people do this. Thankfully as I have a buggy there are no free seats next me in that part. It's just weird and invasive when there are plenty of free seats.

a man sat right next to me, so close that I couldn’t hold the magazine open without elbowing him in the ribs

Elbow fetishist. Gets a cheap thrill from being dug in the ribs with a pointy bit of bone.

Was he panting?

You get this a LOT in China. I think where concept of personal space is entirely different. I was sat on a bench waiting and two people sat literally next to me, touching me - when there was tonnes of free space. So annoying though.

That would freak me out. The car park one I get as there's 50% less chance of some damaging your car when they park.

I do this at the Park and Ride where most cars are there all day; there's very little turnover.