How Close Should You Be?

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:42 am

When I was in school, I learned about the 18 inch rule (18 inches = 45 cm). It means when you are sitting around strangers there should be 18 inches between you and the persons around you. It is actually the law in New York City, where this is the minimum amount of space between subway passengers.

Well, here in Vietnam, strangers touch anyone who looks strange. I have been going to an Internet parlor as I have been waiting for new housing and children lean up against me, as if I am a wall. I don't like it. Maybe I should get over it. Maybe not.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:17 pm

It varies all over the world.

"He's a bit of a close-talker".

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:25 pm

A long time ago, a girl friend asked me to get closer. I told her, "I can't baby, my buttons are in the way".

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:23 pm

They should be far enough away that their bow doesn't threatened to whack me in the head.

lgb&dtuba · Post by **lgb&dtuba** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:58 pm

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:12 pm

Another possible standard: If you can smell and they don't smell good, then they might be too close.

Hey, this is starting to sound like "you might be a redneck...".

If they can see the lice in your nose hair, then you might be too close.

Okay, next...

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:14 pm

BTW, In case you haven't guessed, I voted for 4 feet.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:23 pm

If you are standing face to face with Prince Charles and you can't see both of his ears, then you might be too close.

TMurphy · Post by **TMurphy** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:08 am

knuxie wrote:That New York law wouldn't work in London. I was so close to people on the Tube, my wife thought I was having an affair.

Ken F.

It don't work in New York, either.

I had never heard about that law before, and if it's true, it's definitely one of those unenforcable laws.

Panhandling on the subway is illegal, too....but I can never manage a ride without some homeless guy begging me for change (although sometimes they do it--literally--with a song and dance, which can be amusing).

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:18 am

Actually, the law refers to how much space is allotted per passenger. There is no way to enforce the space around a person, so long as they aren't touched by another.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:05 pm

These replies are too close...

BACK OFF!!!

TMurphy · Post by **TMurphy** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:33 pm

LoyalTubist wrote:Actually, the law refers to how much space is allotted per passenger. There is no way to enforce the space around a person, so long as they aren't touched by another.

That makes a lot more sense....18" is probably about the width of a subway seat. Now if only they would pass and enforce deoderant laws for subway riders.

TubeNet

How Close Should You Be?

How much space should there be between strangers who are seated?

How Close Should You Be?