# Do You Have To Sit Right Next To Me?: In which I speculate why people often annoy me **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 24, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999 "2006-04-24T16:00:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/1 "2006-04-24T16:00:26Z")
So I’m at a conference (Condor Week) in Madison, WI this week (in which the weather is astoundingly clearer, cheerier, and warmer than predicted by [wunderground.com](http://wunderground.com) and The Weather Channel), and despite the fact that the auditorium is seriously less than half full I have people who elected to sit on either side of me. I find this not just a little aggrevating, particularly since: [list=a][li]I got here early to get settled and get a good seat,[/li][li]There’s plenty of extra room, and [/li][li]efcker to the left is blocking the view of the only reasonably attractive female in the room, the inverterate wanker.[/list][/li]Is it just me and my unusual sensitivity to personal space, or am I reasonable in my desire to maintain more than a foot of elbow room about me, circumstances permitted. (Or maybe I’m just irritated because I can’t figure out a sauve way to shift over toward said young lady.) Oh, and the rental company gave me a convertable red Mustang for the compact car rate 'cause I complemented the rental agent on her jewelry. My life is so rough. Don’t cry for me, Argentina. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/2 "2006-04-24T16:13:29Z")
Such a tragic tale just tears your heart out. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/3 "2006-04-24T16:42:01Z")
Man, that must be one boring-ass conference. 😉 (This is only a comment on how this annoyance is worth opening a thread about, not on the merits of the subject matter. About which I know nothing.) But seriously, I hear ya about the personal space thing. Drives me nuts. Last week I went out to lunch at a sports bar and sat at the bar, ordered my sandwich, and opened my magazine. There were a few people sitting at the far end of the bar; I sat one seat in from the corner on my right. To my left, seven empty stools, and to my right, at least 8 or 9. Guy comes in, sits at the corner on my right, so there is one seat between us. It was a slow day in there so I was enjoying my relative solitude, but he totally broke into my field of alone-ness. He could have chosen from many other seats and still had several empty stools between himself and myself or another patron. And yes, at that moment, it was the worst thing in my world. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/4 "2006-04-24T17:06:37Z")
This thread gets my vote for **Best Thread Title / Username combination** of the week. “Do you have to sit next to me?” by **Stranger On A Train** ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/5 "2006-04-24T17:09:10Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > So I’m at a conference (Condor Week) in Madison, WI this week (in which the weather is astoundingly clearer, cheerier, and warmer than predicted by [wunderground.com](http://wunderground.com) and The Weather Channel), and despite the fact that the auditorium is seriously less than half full I have people who elected to sit on either side of me. This is why God invented the fart. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/6 "2006-04-24T17:13:30Z")
Stranger, it’s not just you. Husband and I usually stop off at a local bar on the way home from work, and at the time we get there, it usually isn’t crowded - sometimes it’s just us and the bartender. It’s inevitable that the next shmoe to walk in will sit next to one of us. And it’s not like they’re our friends or anything - total strangers. It gets to the point where we get up and move. And don’t get me started on the clueless idiots who continue to talk to you AFTER you’ve turned your back on them…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/7 "2006-04-24T17:20:07Z")
> [@glee](#): > > This is why God invented the fart. :eek: Perhaps I’ve developed an inaccurate idea about him from his posts, but it strikes me that there are few people _less_ likely to conduct that sort of warfare than **Stranger On A Train.** If I’m wrong about this, don’t tell me. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/8 "2006-04-24T17:25:24Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] [list=a][li]I got here early to get settled and get a good seat,[/li][li]There’s plenty of extra room, and [/li][li]efcker to the left is blocking the view of the only reasonably attractive female in the room, the inverterate wanker.[/list][/li][/QUOTE] :smack: I feel you man. I feel you… ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/9 "2006-04-24T17:37:02Z")
I have some personal space issues as well. Have you considered placing a coat/briefcase/whatever on the seats next to you? Has worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/10 "2006-04-24T18:00:01Z")
Or you could just offer to swap murders with him. You know, he murders your father, you murder his wife. ---
**Author:** ![Jelymag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jelymag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jelymag)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/11 "2006-04-24T18:01:30Z")
I hate when I’m basking in solitude with a book on a train or in a restaurant and some dumbass I’ve never met who can’t stand the thought of silence unfilled by his own voice plops down next to me and says “Whatcha readin?” ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/12 "2006-04-24T18:21:11Z")
Could have been worse… he could have crawled up into your lap. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/13 "2006-04-24T18:47:00Z")
With me it’s the urinals. When someone comes in and stands at the urinal right next to mine, it’s freeze-up time. Sometimes I can concentrate really really hard on the wallpaper (“oh, look, there’s a rip; how would I fix that rip if I owned this place? maybe I could use superglue…”) and manage to accomplish my business, but it’s nip and tuck. What kind of insensitive wanker would take the urinal right next door when there are others free? ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/14 "2006-04-24T18:52:48Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Could have been worse… he could have crawled up into your lap. _Snort_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/15 "2006-04-24T19:43:40Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > Such a tragic tale just tears your heart out. Yeah, it’s an epic tragedy: “Now cracks a noble heart; good night sweet prince/And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” > [@Team of Scientists](#): > > Or you could just offer to swap murders with him. You know, he murders your father, you murder his wife. Where in the heck would you get an idea like that? I’d much rather just kill him and impersonate him. > [@Telperien](#): > > Perhaps I’ve developed an inaccurate idea about him from his posts, but it strikes me that there are few people _less_ likely to conduct that sort of warfare than **Stranger On A Train.** > > If I’m wrong about this, don’t tell me. Nah, that’s pretty accurate. Update: said wanker is even more annoying that first reported; he’s an inexorable nail chewer; not your average hangnail nawer, either, but one of those who gets into it like a beaver in spring. I am, in fact, surprised that after the morning’s activity that he still has any fingertips left with which to type, and indeed, had I not observed the intact digits I would have inferred that the index finger was down to the second joint. On the other hand, he isn’t playing with the annoying little LED lights/noisemakers that they handed out as swag, unlike many participants. On the gripping hand, I sat next to and had an engaging conversation with the afformentioned young lady. So…we’ll see how that goes. Any UWM alumni/Madison expatriots offering recommendations for dinner on State Street? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/16 "2006-04-24T19:56:39Z")
So, waitaminit. There is at least one empty seat between you, and you’re _still_ complaining? Why don’t you just read at home? And if you’re sitting _at the bar_, there’s an implication that you are open to _complete strangers_ just up and talking to you. Otherwise, you’d sit in a booth. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/17 "2006-04-24T20:00:43Z")
This reminds me of parking far out in a parking lot. Safer for your car, and you get some exercise. But almost invariably when you come out, somebody’s car will be snugged right up beside yours. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/18 "2006-04-24T20:29:11Z")
> [@Jelymag](#): > > I hate when I’m basking in solitude with a book on a train or in a restaurant and some dumbass I’ve never met who can’t stand the thought of silence unfilled by his own voice plops down next to me and says “Whatcha readin?” This behavior annoyed me just reading about it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/19 "2006-04-24T20:39:40Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Any UWM alumni/Madison expatriots offering recommendations for dinner on State Street? On State Street - Himal Chuli - absolutely wonderful, super fresh Nepalese - Indian style food. (Or Chautara, its more upscale, but yummy sister restaurant, right down the street.) ---
**Author:** ![moonstarssun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@moonstarssun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonstarssun)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999/20 "2006-04-24T20:45:56Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Any UWM alumni/Madison expatriots offering recommendations for dinner on State Street? > > Stranger Depends on what you’re looking for. Tutto Pasta is nice and cozy for a date. Himal Chuli is one of my favorites (Nepali), but the atmosphere isn’t the best for a quiet dinner. Husnu’s is good both in terms of food and atmosphere. Let me know where you’re going and I’ll see if I can get the table right next to you. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-sit-right-next-to-me-in-which-i-speculate-why-people-often-annoy-me/353999.md?page=2)