There is a thing called personal space.
The amount required depends on the person, culture, etc. I have gotten used to having less of it through living in Japan π₯ where this concept is a luxury even if on a person to person basis people would like more of it.
The other day, I knew that I had grown in my tolerance for close proximities to strangers when I only momentarily paused as someone stepped on the back of my flip-flop as I got off the train.π
This was again tested, the second time that someone stepped on my shoe on the same day.
Although my inner voice was screaming, βBack the F*@K offβ, π£ my more βmatureβ voice took in a deep breath, smiled, waited for the foot to come off of my shoe and continued on. π§π½ββοΈ
Of course, there are multiple perspectives on this. One, βπ½I should/could choose to wear different shoes that might be less likely to get stepped on. Two, βπ½I could push back or give dirty looks at the offender to make them feel momentarily bad or confuse them as to the problem – either way creating a negative exchange. Three, ππ½ I can accept it for what it is and delay contemplation.
Obviously, I have chosen the latter of these options.
My contemplation π€ is, what makes it necessary to be so close to someone that you can actually step on the back of their shoe? Or, is it the make of the shoe in that the delay of the flip and flop is just that slow in that it unbalances the rhythm of steps for everyone? π³
Whatever the case, I thought I would bore you with this anecdote, but interested in other theories and thoughts too because I canβt quite figure it out. In the meantime, I am wearing thicker soled shoes to thicken my patience. π
~T π
