Why do people want to huddle?

[KarenOnTour]

HI all,

I don't mean personal space as such, - The types of things I mean are-

• You park your car in an almost empty car park, and the next car will park right next to you - as close as absolutely possible, so you have to fold yourself in half to get in our out your car

• sit in a large completely empty cafe (probably 200 seats available) and the next couple to arrive will sit at the table right next to you - with the back of their chair right against yours

• On a treadmill at the Gym, there are 25 treadmills in a row - You are the only person there, and the next person in, uses the next treadmill

These are all real examples of situations I've been in during the last month

I find it very strange that people behave like this (like huddle together) and I probably notice it a lot more as i am immune-compromised

Any ideas why people behave like this? I find it bemusing tbh

The car one might because of your car, if it is not an SUV. As car parks are not designed for them, and most SUV drivers are unfit to drive them.

We once were the only people on a fairly large beach until surfers drove onto the beach, parked their car directly in front of us, about 8 or 10 metres away on a really wide beach. Completely blocked our view. It felt like an attack!

presumably whatever drew you to that exact spot is going to draw the next people too. Comfortable, shady, nicely positioned, good view of the room, etc

I think it goes way, way back. It is ingrained from when people huddled together in case of wandering dinosaurs (or whatever the threat was at the time)

It seems to work as there have been no sightings of dinosaurs in the Tesco car park, that I use, as far back as anyone can remember. (And I always ask at Customer Services before I start my shop as I don't want to risk my car getting scratched.)

I suspect you're in their spot.

I have a 'favorite' treadmill. (Good view and near the fan).

I would use it even if someone was on the one next to it. Maybe they're on their favourite too?

I agree, I think it's some deeply ingrained "there's safety in numbers" sort of instinct. I think people find it reassuring to be next to someone else in case there's some hidden reason why nobody's using that other corner of the car park / gym.

Still bloody annoying though. If it was possible to move away from them, I would!

I absolutely agree. It drives me mad! Also, I have the Harvester restaurant app for the offers, and when I go there it pings me “This is what other diners are ordering right now!” WTF? Why would I care?

hahaha love this post

Oh that is awful to do on a beach. :(

Yeah same on trains and buses.
I'm the opposite, I go for the empty space

Huh?
Driving an SUV makes you park right next to someone in an empty car park? That makes no sense.

I hate huddling too, especially the sitting in the table right next to you in an empty restaurant. We live near a few fairly deserted beaches, you can guarantee if you take a picnic and someone else comes they will plonk theirselves right next to you. Usually the type of people that will have a dog who will be in your sandwiches and they'll think it's hilarious. 🤦‍♀️

It's weird though because there are some settings where the opposite happens... Like a lecture theatre or a waiting room or a church for example. People will go to great lengths in those places to avoid sitting near anybody else, until you have loads of sections or areas or pews with like every third seat occupied and nobody wants to go in between.

If you have a low down car so you can't see the lines it can be hard to line up your car in a parking space without another car to act as a guide. I agree with your other examples though.

Disagree. It really isn't that hard

It is very inconsiderate to the other person (they might be elderly or less mobile than you or have children to get in and out).......and also puts both cars at risk of door bashing if you park very close ie right on the edge of the white line

But parking like an arrogant dick in a car park is a whole different thread