personal space invasion
Standing too close
Personal space invasion is getting uncomfortably close to someone, violating the invisible boundary people maintain around their bodies.
The phrase describes both deliberate intrusions—a stranger standing too close on an empty train—and oblivious ones: My coworker is a chronic personal space invader.
What counts as invasion varies by culture and relationship.
- crowdingExcessive gathering in limited space
- boundariesLines marking separation
- proximityNearness in space
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
closeness · hovering · breath · strangers · elevator · bubble · encroachment · looming · touching · subway · claustrophobic · comfort zone · awkward · backing · cornered · back off · step back · pushy
- intrusionsintrusion, intrude, intruder, intruding, barging in
- presumptuousnesspresumptuousness, impertinence, audacity, forwardness, boldness
personal space invasionstanding back
Moving away to watch
giving space · arm's length · stepping back · backing off · social distancing
personal space invasionconsideration
Careful thought or compensation
discretion · tactfulness · deference · restraint · politeness
personal, invasion, person, persons, personally, personality, personalize, personalized, personalization