Please note that this isn't a Coronairus article, although the subject is screaming for it from the social distancing point of view. What you about to read is intended to fit the nature of t ;) he pre-Corona days ;)
Remember Les Touchers?
You know when you sit down in a bus, plane or on a train and as soon as you find some comfortable position, you get a very relaxed neighbour. Actually, he is more than just very relaxed and that applies to your personal space as well. You know it as soon as he leans his leg or a shoulder (or both) onto you so you are permanently physically touched by him. He is one of them Les Touchers, the kind we all know.
You give way a bit to ‘untouch’, to re-create your already deprived personal space but he immediately claims that little space you have created while making a pleasant vocal approval of how comfortable he is. You then have two options – give way a bit more or start fighting back. Eventually, you’ll resolve to the latter option because every inch you’ve given away was taken again and again.
At this point, you are gently pressing back, hoping that he would realize that he’s an occupant of your space. You might even get a bit envious of how relaxed this dude is because he doesn’t seem to be noticing your fightback. In your head, you think that he doesn’t need personal space. For now, you want to be like him.
The previously beautiful views from the panoramic window are not as beautiful as before. You start skipping tracks in your playlist because the music doesn’t sound as good as before. You hope for a miracle that someone will get off soon and there will be a free space.
But none of that happens. You even drop something on the floor near to him, hoping that he will pick it up and pass it to you, which world be your moment to get YOUR SPACE BACK, but at this point, he’s already semi asleep. Your only hope is that he will need to go to the toilet or reach his bag.
Then his phone rings and as he’s reaching for his phone – you go for that space, ready for his next impact which comes straight after the phone call. He’s back to be a full-time ultra toucher again. But you are feeling sharp, resolute and uncompromising.
Until it gets so unpleasant that you’ll give way again…
Note
If you are in the middle chair or by the aisle, it’s your human right to get the armrest as the window person has the window and the person on the other side has the row space. Unfortunately, there are multiple situations, when some people ignore human rights on hugely different scales, which could be easily observed any time you randomly switch the TV news on.
April 1st, 2020 update: COVID-19 and Les Touchers
I really wonder what will social distancing pandemic do with Les Touchers. They might even become aware of their actions. I believe that Coronavirus might put a major blow to Les Touchers‘ actions. What do you think?
I bet that they don’t know how annoying their actions could be for someone sitting next to them. How about you? Do you think that Les Touchers act intentionally or subconsciously?
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