Everybody has a personal space bubble, but our rules are different. Its difficult to be sensitive to everyone's personal space needs, but sometimes all you needs are eyeballs to realize somebody doesn't want to be bothered.
Here's an example. You're on lunch at work, so of course, you want to use that time to kick back and relax. You've been talking to a bunch of annoying and whiny people all day, so you're savoring this time for various self indulgences. These require attention, and therefore it's considered dangerous to interrupt you while enjoy yourself. It should be obvious to outsiders when you are armed with the following items:
1. A good book
A good book is much different then a magazine. You can look up from a magazine mid story and look down a week later and be fine because it only requires 3/4 of a braincell to process. In a book, it's so important to pay attention to everything that's going on, otherwise you may be confused later. If somebody is really reading, don't distract them for more then a few seconds.
2. An ipod
Your ears are plugged up and omitting a much more pleasant sound then somebody's voice. Enough said.
3. A microwave dinner
I may be alone here...but the point is...it's YOUR dinner, AND it's another thing you're doing. You're obviously not doing nothing!
I think it should be apparent to most people that your in your own little world, and enjoying yourself. What one EARTH would possess somebody to sit directly across from you (when there are many other places to sit) and start blabbering?? Somebody you're not even FRIENDS with! Somebody who's name you barely remember! Talking about crap! You do all you can without actually uttering the words "please leave me alone!" You don't look up from your book, you grunt instead of actually answering the questions, and you let the awkward silence to linger. This is difficult because most of us spend all of our time trying to avoid awkward silences, but I'm suggesting you use this particular one to your advantage. In this instance though, NOTHING worked. Your personal time has been violated by an outsider. You've lost.
Most people would say to either take out the earphones and talk, or to be straightforward and let the person know that you're really into the book and you can't talk right now. I think these methods or overrated. I'm trying to educate people out there who may be ruining somebody's personal time to think before you interrupt. Some people can't read words, listen to words, process words, and speak words all at once. Especially with music playing, and the aroma of freshly microwaved pasta in their nose. Please allow us our time, otherwise we will never get along.
1 comment:
Personal space is a pair of words that used to be called simply "courtesy". We are in a time of the World's existence when being alone, to meditate, contemplate, pray, or just breathe (ahhhh...) is more and more a challenge.
Wisdom is knowing which, of all the things that surround us, is important . It's also knowing when to be courteous. If someone interrupts our private space or time, we have an obligation to respond to what is most likely a well-intentioned effort, with the same courtesy we would respect were we "reaching out". It is not necessary to slap the hand of the reacher. Rather it is appropriate to see if their needs are more pressing than your own. If they are, help. This will be the time of greatest blessings. If they're NOT more important that your needs, pretend they are, and you will be blessed all the more.
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