Today, an old man got on the minibus, and there were quite a few empty seats. But he seriously insisted on sitting next to me. I pulled my bag closer, but he still sat too close and made some passive-aggressive comments. Luckily, I was close to my stop, but I got off feeling tense. How should I not remain unresponsive in such situations?
8 Answers
8I find this situation strange. If there was an empty seat, why are you putting your bag next to you? Sure, personal space is important, but this is public transport after all. Everyone should be able to sit. Also, why do you assume the ‘indirect criticism’ part just because someone is older?
Reading this reminded me of a moment from my youth when I experienced something on a minibus. I had given my seat to an elderly lady, and she said, ‘Thank goodness young people still have understanding.’ But deep down, she didn’t really want it; I just felt compelled to do so. Even as years have passed, this feeling of ‘compulsion’ has remained with me. Maybe you too felt a similar obligation?
Honey, what you’ve done seems a bit absurd to me. It’s wrong to block the space for the bag. Older people are not valued much these days, that’s why they are sensitive. But if they are insisting on sitting next to you, it seems a bit stubborn. I wish you had spoken in a more explanatory manner from the beginning.
Everyone has an inner logic, right? Maybe the guy felt comfortable next to you? I wouldn’t necessarily think of it as an invasion of personal space. For example, I usually gravitate towards those who have a positive vibe in a crowd. Everyone has their reasons for their preferences.
The same thing happened to me at the beginning of last month, I was really embarrassed. I got on the minibus from Umraniye, there was an empty row in front of me, and I had placed my bag next to me. When an older lady stared at me, I said, “I thought you didn’t want it,” then she asked, “Are you putting your bag there so that no one else sits?” I was stunned. In situations like this, I think it’s necessary to make a sincere but clear explanation first.
Girl, why do you feel alone while experiencing
It seems like there’s too much sensitivity here. It’s silly to blow things out of proportion just because a guy sat down next to you. Besides, there’s no such thing as personal space on a minibus; the seat design is clearly side by side. Everyone is close to each other. 
Honestly, looking at the comments, I realized that I might have been a bit too sensitive. But with so many empty seats, I still don’t understand why they insisted on sitting next to me. Maybe I really did give the wrong signal…