We had a man come to our house recently to talk about lawn treatments and he was one of those. We started our conversation in the backyard by our house and I swear to you, by the end of it we were in the middle of the lawn because I was forced to keep backing up.
When I was younger, I knew a girl who couldn't talk to you unless her face was a foot or less away from yours. So what's up with people who do this? I was curious so I did a bit of research.
It turns out that there is a bit of science behind the people known as "close talkers". Apparently people do this because there is some sort of damage to the part of the brain that triggers feelings of fear and anger. A person with this particular form of brain damage is generally not as distrusting as most of us, so they don't feel the uncomfortableness of communicating with someone inside their personal space. They are generally very trusting people who have trouble noticing any discomfort or fear in another person's facial expressions or actions.
Whew, how's that for sounding smart?
So what are you supposed to do when you're personal space is invaded by a close talker? I've come up with some simple solutions, so you'll never have to worry about your space being compromised again!
1) Become a hand talker. Flail your arms around as you speak. If the close talker just happens to get hit in the process, they'll back up a little to avoid your uncontrollable hand movements.
2) Turn into a mouth breather. No one likes a mouth breather.
3) Eat some spicy food with either garlic or onions before your encounter. Guaranteed to ward off close talkers.
4) Talk LOUDLY. Unless your close talker is hard of hearing, he'll want to move away simply to stop the screaming in his ears.
5) Pretend you have a cold. Cough, sneeze, and blow your nose right in that close talker's face! It will buy you at least 2 extra feet.
Follow my simple steps and you'll rid yourself of those awkward conversations in no time!
Do you get uncomfortable when people intrude on your personal space?
xox Dana
Baha! I laughed out loud at your solutions. But that's sad that it is a real issue.
ReplyDeleteHi! New reader, found your blog through Jenni's..
ReplyDeleteYour tips for dealing with "close talkers" definitely made me laugh! I can't stand people to be in my personal space, whether they're talking or not! I will have to give one of these a try next time! ha!
Haha, these ideas are great! I've dealt with "close talkers" before, and I never know what to do. Sometimes it's cultural too, I worked with a guy from India and that was just his culture. I like the idea of talking louder, though, and will definitely try that next time I run into a close talker!
ReplyDeleteYes! I hate when this happens! I usually just put my foot in front of me and lean back, It is a really awkward position but It gets you away from them! haha!
ReplyDelete@Kyla
ReplyDeleteYes! That is also true!! I learned about it being cultural too while I was researching it haha. Either way it's sooo uncomfortable! lol
xox
Hahaha, LOVE this! I have slight flashbacks to a time when my friends and I actually nick-named someone Close Talker. I usually get so distracted by how close they are to me that I can't even pay attention to what they're saying! Awesome research :) Pretty interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious Dana! I laughed out loud a couple of times. When I used to wait tables, I came across quite a few of these types. They were usually old people, with grody old person breath. Yuck! :P
ReplyDeletehaha i like your solutions. i was studying in france this summer and i found this to be true of most of the europeans i met! they just don't feel the need for as much personal space i guess? i totally can picture the whole you backing away/him coming closer thing. ha
ReplyDeleteOr how about the wear-me-as-your-shirt people at the check out line? The other day I was standing in line at the express checkout, and this guy was literally standing less than a foot behind me the whole time we waited. I couldn't tell if he was trying to rub up on my butt or just get me to step out of line so he could get through faster. I assumed it was the latter when he stepped to the credit card machine as I was still taking my whole three bags off the counter, forcing me to move ahead and lean back to grab them. Thankfully the checkout clerk told him to hold on and wait his turn. Good customer service, Albertsons Cashier!
ReplyDeletewww.luxeboulevard.blogspot.com
Haha, I love your posts. They are so true. Close talkers bug the you know what out of me. I have a bubble... imaginary, yes... But don't enter it.
ReplyDeletewww.awesomely-awkward.com
I smiled so much when I read your post, I also get so uncomfortable whenever people get too close to me when they speak, especially if they're total strangers ! It's so annoying ! I love your blog, I am becoming a follower on google cause don't wanna miss any new posts. Mine is mostly only about fashion but feel free to follow back if you like it - I'd be honoured ! Kisses
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionandcookies.blogspot.com
Oh the brain is such a weird thing, but such funny solutions! Next time that happens to me, I'll be waving my arms around like a crazy.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... that's so strange! I never would have thought about it that way. I have definitely encountered people like this, and it's good to have these suggestions, because I usually just keep backing away, hehe :) You're so clever! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteBah ha ha oh man. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, yes! There is an old fellow like this at Uni and it creeps me out beyond belief. Thanks for this post, it made me laugh. :P
ReplyDeletethanks for the comment on my blog!
ReplyDeleteKissses!
http://alice-machiaj.blogspot.com
Hahah! This happened to me last week at the supermarket. I was trapped between the cart (with a crabby toddler in it) and a little lady who needed to stand right.next.to.me. She was sweet and said my kid was cute - so I let it slide but ahhh it's annoying. Thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeletei talk with my hands so i hardly ever have any issues with close talkers ...
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips and the giggles! :)
Thanks for your sweet comment!
ReplyDeleteI have huge problems with people being in my space, I think I have a larger space bubble than normal. Haha.
Your solutions made me laugh- I'm already a definite hand-talker!
--Amanda :)
HILARIOUS!!!! I knew a girl (thankfully don't have contact with her anymore) who was a 3" from your nose talker, and my goodness, it was exhausting, uncomfortable, and embarrassing (if I had eaten garlic)! I love her, but gee whiz, let me breathe normally girl! Wish I had known your tips back then ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh Dana! I LOVE your solutions! lol
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