Negotiating Your Space: Maintaining 6 feet of Distance in Public Places

Written by WIN Staff

As many cities across the world begin to open up from lock down orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is paramount to continue the CDC guideline of staying at least six feet apart in public places. Understanding and respecting the need for six feet of space is a new concept for everyone and in a time of quarantining and social distancing, the concepts of social etiquette and politeness like shaking hands and holding the door have been redefined. The most generous thing you can do now is to stay home or if you must go out, give everyone the necessary space to stay safe. 

You might find it difficult to pose that request to a stranger because it goes against ingrained behaviors and can feel very uncomfortable and confrontational.  Here are some tips for you to ask for the space you need. 

Be friendly and polite

The delivery matters more than the message in these cases. Concentrate on presenting yourself as kind and friendly as possible when asking. It’s a difficult time for everyone and the last thing anyone wants is to get in a hostile conversation on the grocery line. For example “I’m sorry. I’m trying to maintain six feet of distance. Would you mind giving me some more space?” would work much better than “can you back up six feet?”

Borrow authority from the medical professionals 

If you aren’t feeling comfortable with being assertive in the situation, you can “borrow authority” and defer to medical professionals by citing them as a reason to give you some more space. Saying something along the lines of “ I think the CDC is telling us to stay six feet apart so if you don’t mind stepping back a little, that would be great,” could work. If you are in a grocery store, most have signs up mandating keeping six feet apart, in which case you could say “I think we are supposed to stay six feet apart if you don’t mind moving back a little.” 

Give others the benefit of the doubt and move yourself

Depending on the situation, it could be your responsibility to move back. If they didn’t see you jogging up from behind or coming onto the grocery line, it is your responsibility to give the needed space for the both of you to be safe. Assuming that others are ignorant or purposely not following the rules can cause further conflict and escalation of the situation.  We are all still getting used to this new normal so remember the kindest thing you could do for a person and for yourself right now is to give each other the six feet of distance.  Prior to this pandemic, trailing behind on a sidewalk or backing away in public could be preserved as rude but right now it is the most considerate and helpful thing you can do for everyone.

The bottom line is, confrontation is always hard, even under the best of circumstances and especially today, when people are on alert, and stress levels are heightened but you should feel entitled to prioritize yourself and your health, no matter what.  That being said, like with every negotiation, the delivery and tone counts as much as the request itself.