Is it a personal space thing or purposeful thing a person does?

It’s really hard to say without being there. I’ve been really close to people and it not bother me, but I remember one time I was really close to someone and with the way he had his body positioned, it made me really uncomfortable. I don’t think he did it on purpose or anything like that though. So, with that in mind, a persons position and body language could definitely be enough to make you uncomfortable. Whether they were doing it on purpose or not, who knows.

It could also be about your feelings toward that person at that exact moment (like if you are not completely comfortable with them in general, have a crush on them, or maybe feel like they may be coming on to you, for example).

I think it’s a gut thing. You just pick up things from other people that they may or may not be intentional, but sometimes it’s enough to make you want to run. That part is definitely normal.

We all have differences in terms of how close we are comfortable with people being to us. I believe (and I can’t find the research now) people who come from say more rural settings are most likely to prefer people to stand further away than those of us who grew up in closer, urban settings.

In this case though, I think you need to listen to your instincts. If he was looking at you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable, perhaps it was actually the way he was looking at you. I have had that on occasions. I would keep an eye on your interactions with this person in the future and try to pin down what it is that is making you feel uncomfortable. In the meantime, don’t be alone with them perhaps? Just listen to your instincts and be alert.

I would go with your instinct. Intuition is not something magical. We know more than our conscious minds know. Other parts of our minds recognize what is going on, and that’s when you get the feeling of uneasiness. It’s better to trust your instincts and to be very cautious with this fellow. Be polite, but keep a distance between you. Don’t get very friendly until you feel more sure about him.

Well firstly congratulations for being so self aware that you noticed your gut/body feeling! That’s huge!

I’m a big believer in paying attention to our intuitive side, but, the catch is there is always a catch haha were these feelings really coming from your personal space being invaded, which may very well be true and right on for you, but…it could also be a some sort of triggering experience you are not consciously aware of. Does this person remind you of someone else, in your past or present that has made you feel uncomfortable?

I’d say simply remain aware and see what any future encounters feel like.

I recently became aware that a casual relationship of mine was giving me some cause for examining my intuitive feelings and I pinpointed that, while I generally like this person well enough on a casual level, I sense they have a somewhat controlling personality by their fairly overt tendency to be be pushy.

I realized that, because of this trait, they will remain relegated to only a casual, at arms length ‘relationship’ with me.

I agree with @Coloma and @ANef_is_Enuf…....If you felt a shift in the “energy” and you are not quite sure why…pay attention and don’t dismiss this. If it made you uncomfortable, no need to panic or anything, just monitor how you “feel” the next time you are around this person. It may be a one-time thing…perhaps he did just get into your space. If it is an ongoing sense of “space invasion”, I would then just ask for some space:

“Hi, I don’t mean to offend you…but… you know, sometimes you get too close to me when we are talking…and it makes me uncomfortable, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to just step back a bit when we talk from now on….I’m just not used to having people so close to me…unless they are my family or my boyfriend/girlfriend.”

This will probably take care of the situation. (I hope.)

@ Coloma I’ve spoken to this person before with others in closer proximity and even without others but with more purpose to the conversation without feeling uncomfortable at all which is what makes it even more odd…He doesn’t remind me of anyone I can think of but I certainly cannot remember everyone I’ve ever met haha!

I will take your advice and that of the posts above to make sure that I do not put myself into a position like that again. I interact with over 100 different employees every day and I’ve definitely ever had a reaction like this. My stomach is still turning hours later!

@abysmalbeauty

Yes, just stay alert, why am I picturing American Psycho? lol

hahaha oh no! Dont scare me now

Maybe it is because you like him and don’t know what to do about it.

I really dislike when someone’s face is too close to mine. That is just too weird, or a good way of inviting a fight.

@anartist I don’t like him sorry. I wish it was that case. I definitely have quite different feelings when I like someone. In fact I could use some advice about that too but that’s a whole other question lol

If your feeling was so strong it is still affecting you hours later, you most especially need to listen to your instincts. That does not sound good at all. If you feel you can speak to other women you work with confidentially, ask them if they have ever experienced this? It may not just be you.

@wundayatta is spot on. Instincts aren’t magic, but they are a finely tuned evolutionary tool that you should never ignore. You should always trust your gut.