TIL my 22 year old coworker changed how I think about personal space

I was on the bus last week in Portland and this young guy sat right next to me even though the whole back was empty. I got annoyed until he explained he does it on purpose to challenge the norm of avoiding strangers. He said we lose connection when we treat everyone like a threat. Is there any research on how much isolation costs us socially?

2 comments

2 Comments

grace_knight702d ago

I've got a neighbor who takes the opposite approach... he'll stand and hold the pole like a gymnast rather than sit next to someone. Maybe I'm the weirdo in the middle who just waves awkwardly at everyone from across the aisle. It's funny how we all develop these little rules for staying apart without even talking about it. I wonder if my own bubble is costing me more than I realize, or if I'm just saving myself from having to make small talk about the weather every morning.

williamhill1d ago

costing me more than I realize" - yeah that hit me hard, I used to be the gymnast pole guy.