Personal space. I need mine. More at certain times, less at certain times. My bubble changes size all the time. I don’t like people right up in my face or hanging on me. I can handle my son and my nieces and nephew and Jason of course. Most days.
I do consider myself a very loving person. I still like my space. If I’m just sitting there I’m fine but if I’m doing something like cooking or cleaning or really anything, I need my space. I can’t be in the bathroom with more than one person and that’s tough on me sometimes. Especially if I’m getting ready. I get all sweaty and have to leave the room. In the kitchen, same thing, please…I don’t want the help. Thank you but it just freaks me out. I can get into an elevator just fine but if one person touches me, I start to panic…Get me the hell off this thing! Shopping is another big one for me. I’m always fine in a store like our local Target or specialty stores, ones that aren’t crowded. My bubble becomes VERY small when I enter a Walmart or any busy crowded store.
Now I know I have quirks, we all do. I’m hoping. I think we all to some extent have a bubble around us. Some are larger than other’s. I also think we should respect each others bubble! I could be way off and I’m just crazy like that!
Do you have a bubble? Has anyone ever popped it and you just freaked out on them? I’ve never had to actually yell at someone for invading my space. I say it nicely then move. Just how big or small is your bubble? Is consistent or does it change sizes like mine?
Us Girls..Our Views 
My bubble is pretty small I guess. I can handle crowds, being close to people I don’t know, having more than one cook in the kitchen…I do hate when I have to share the bathroom, but that’s just because I don’t like to hear Toby tell me to hurry up! I think part of it is just my personality and the other part is because I grew up in a small house with 6 people. The 4 of us kids shared one bedroom and I had to share a bed with my sister, and we only had 1 bathroom. My extended family is big so when we get together it can be tight, but I like that. It makes you feel included and part of a great family. Of course, creepy guys trying to get touchy feely is another story! Then my bubble gets really BIG!!!
My bubble is huge. Much bigger than most peoples. I have to have my personal space. Not only with the outside world but with my friends and family as well. I can love them with out having them all up on me or touching me. Yes i have huge issues.. Thats okay.. its me..
I guess I have two bubbles. The largest bubble (I suppose) would be the bubble of “family.” I need to either talk to them, see them of have some sort of contact with them almost daily.
HOWEVER, every few months when I can get away and have just a whole day alone is so envigorating! If I can get an entire day (from sun up to sun down) and just sit in the deep woods without a single human being around, with just the distant sound of an occassional automobile passing… I don’t think there is anything better for me and therefore better for my family.
I have, I guess, a medium bubble. I like being around people, hanging out with my family and whatnot, but I get twitchy when people get all huggy and touchy.
Steve’s family is VERY huggy – the first time I met many of his cousins, they wanted to hug me! That makes me uncomfortable.
There are also lots of people in my life that like to invade my personal space. That’s the only way they think that you’re listening, so they get in really close – almost like that “close talker” guy on Seinfeld, remember him? – THAT makes me absolute bat-stink nutty.
But in general, as long as I get some “me time” each day, time to sit and read a book or watch tv by myself, I’m ok.
It is more difficult nowadays, though, with Steve here 24/7. I’m not used to that, either, so it’s another adjustment to the bubble.
I think our bubbles change from day to day. I need at least a half hour a day of quiet usually in the morning and I will get ugly if people invade my bubble!
We use the Bubble term in my house all the time. I hear my kiddos scream, “Mom, she’s in my bubble!” all the time. If my kiddos are being too mopey I will go up to them and poke at the air and tell them “There I popped your bubble! Now come join the rest of us!” Makes them laugh every-time!
My bubble is pretty big I guess. There are just “things” that bug me when around people. I’m okay out in public. I can even say I don’t mind big crowds but I don’t like people I don’t know touching me while talking to me or hugging me when they see me like we’re long lost friends. Just to talk to me would be great but sometimes “huggers” really get on my nerves. I love it when kids do it but someone I see a few times a year, thank you but you don’t need to hug me. Casual arm touching like in an elevator or in crowd doesn’t have the same effect on me as it does you.
I think my bubble gets a bit bigger in enclosed places. If I’m in a room with someone and they need to stand right next to me so I can feel their spit or their breath or they are stepping on my feet, BACK OFF. That’s the thing I hate is when someone has to be right on top of you when the room is empty and they could very easily stand a few steps away from you. I really hate it in my kitchen which is so small to begin. I mean, I’ve moved back and they’ve moved closer until sometimes I feel I’m backed up against a wall. I’m not sure why people have to do that.
Now I feel bad for all the times I’ve INSISTED on helping you clean up after you’ve cooked for us or at a party at your house. Is it okay with you if other people clean up your kitchen and you’re not in it? I feel bad for someone who has cooked for me to clean up alone. It’s just something I jump up to help with. If that’s the case young lady, I’ll clean up your kitchen alone and you can go twist off a cap of Corona with your feet up.
LOL…this recently happened. We had the usual friends over for grilling and poker and one of them literally kicked me out of my kitchen and he did every dish. I don’t expect that at all. Some of it too is I feel it’s my job to take care of my guests. I need to work on that, I know it’s just what women do, they help in the kitchen. Don’t feel bad, I’ll let you help me next time!!! 🙂
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to take care of your guests. That’s why they’re guests! If I make a meal or have a birthday party, I don’t expect anyone to help me. Sure, moving the dishes off the table is fine, but I’ll do the rest thank you!
Well, first of all, I don’t like to be touched much by anyone who isn’t young enough to be my kid, but I don’t know if that’s a “bubble” issue. The thing for me is, I don’t feel comfortable reciprocating all that hugging and stuff. It’s something we didn’t do in my family after a very young age. So hugging anyone I’m not intimate with is weird. I force myself to do it sometimes lest I hurt feelings, but I would rather stay the hell away from people when they feel huggy. That includes my parents, who started that weird stuff after I was an adult – too old to change my ways.
Other than that, I would say I have an adjustable bubble. I am around people from different cultures, and I can basically sense that a certain distance is culturally right for them, and I generally adjust to it. But if a preference for close distances is more pathological (or due to drunkenness), then I try to keep my distance. I am not claustrophobic or anything like that. I don’t like to share chores and such, but that’s because I’m the only person in the world who knows how to do it right.
I have a small bubble. It doesnt bother me when people are close to me, especially if I know them. I’m a big hugger and love giving my friends and family members hugs.
It really depends on who it is thats around me and what mood Im in.With family I am usually huggy and touchy (so my bubble would be small) but other people usually not.If Im not feeling good (often)I dont want to be touched and need my space big time,big bubble!When its a situation were I feel compassion for someone,even a stranger I tend to want to reach out and touch to comfort.With my old job I was up close and personal and they would feel free to tell me their troubles so I had to learn to read people whether they wanted my hand on their shoulder or not as a sign that I was listening and cared.I sure dont want to intrude into someones bubble!I quess I had to learn to have a small bubble since I was touching so many people all day.(k,that sounds weird)lol!Did any of that make sense?
And as Sue said..BIG bubble when it comes to creepy men..and I have encountered my fair share!
I have a Bubble – – with a capital B. I am not a huge touchy-feely person, except with people I know extremely well, and even then…not so much.
It seems you’re not alone in the bubble department.
M.
Pretty average bubble…although I had a doctor once who talked to you from about 5 inches from your face…that was really uncomfortable. He was really nice though and I really liked his manner other than that.
OOOOOH I LOVE this question. I have a SMALL BUBBLE!! I take this bubble even to concerts with me and even yes even in the mosh pit my bubble will be respected!!! I don’t like being touched or even considered to be touched.
If I feel like the bubble is being invaded I really have no issues alerting someone to that fact either. Could be why I really don’t have a lot of friends right now. ..except for on here cuz you guys don’t break into my bubble area!