Are you hitting on me or what?

[Talon]

You could always down a snack-size bag of Doritos before punching in. I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier.

And on that note:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rJwGns44WY

[Draper Mel]

I think the other option is to lean into them until you're touching, then maybe lay your head on their shoulder. Unless you think it's somebody who'd take that the wrong way.

Or learn to quietly pass gas on command.

[Pixilated]

I like the second one. Even management can't do much about that.

[Opalin]

These are all great suggestions. I should clear up that they aren't booths where people are obscured from view (I saw the post about the safety concern) They are tall free standing desks, so no weird business going on over there...except that one time my CW had to deal with this 80 y/o customer and his viagra surprise...lol but that's another story.

I wish to know this story, and in sarcasm I suggest you lick them, with as much drool as you can muster.

In seriousness I'd develop a case of elbow stance, where there's always a sharp elbow poking out towards the customer. That or become a gesture addict. People are less likely to stand nearby if you are more likely to accidentally smack them upside the head.
Honestly manager, I was just trying to emphasize how great what they were asking was, and then suddenly they were so happy they stuck their face into my expansive joy for the universe!

I think it's a cultural thing as well. When I'm hanging out with my northern US friends, the bubble between any non dating person is obvious. When I'm hanging out with my Puerto Rican friends, it's very much a everybody is as close as humanly possible without actively having sex.

[Damianvargas]

I wish to know this story,

Well, I unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) was not present for it but she basically said not only was he in sweatpants but that it was a MONSTER. Almost literally the elephant in the room as she had to help him pick out some bedroom furniture.

[ADeMartino]

The funny part about it is if I passively move a little away, they move right in closer again. As a result, I've had 5 colds in 7 months. I've asked management and their position is, "the customer is allowed to stand that close and we are not allowed to tell them to back off" Oy.

Oh, hell NO.

There is most definitely a thing called 'personal space', and nobody - not even management - has the right to override that. Some people have a serious, nearly phobic reaction to people standing too close.

Shit like this opens the door to all sorts of unsavory things. Someone standing too close might be picking your pocket, or trying to cop a feel, or trying to intimidate. In addition to the potential to catch colds or flu as you mentioned. There's a reason for personal space, and I'd be pointing these things out to HR at the earliest possible opportunity - with three more words for them to ponder on: HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT

[KatherineB]

While I agree about personal space, every culture requires a different amount of it so that makes it very hard to police.

[Opalin]

Well, I unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) was not present for it but she basically said not only was he in sweatpants but that it was a MONSTER. Almost literally the elephant in the room as she had to help him pick out some bedroom furniture.

That'd be horrid. She couldn't get a guy to help him out?

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

Do what I do. Start scratching.

Don't be obvious at first. Just a few random scratches here and there. Then as the conversation progresses increase the frequency and the duration of the scratching.

After a while the person will either back away to avoid whatever "cooties" you may have or (even better) will suffer a psychosomatic response and start thinking they're itchy as well.

And if/when they complain and your boss confronts you...blame dry skin. It causes itchiness, is not contagious, and can be tricky to treat without going too far and making your skin oily...which can also cause itchy skin.

[JustShootMe]

Chew raw garlic & exhale forcefully when you talk directly into their face.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Chew raw garlic & exhale forcefully when you talk directly into their face.

I just thought of this old Clorets ad...

[Halo_miles]

I get a few customers like this. Most of the time, I'm not bothered by it. However, persistent ones get this, "I don't have much personal space, but what little I do have, you're violating!" That usually works. If it doesn't, I start mentioning how my tuberculosis is doing.

[Halo_miles]

Do what I do. Start scratching.

Don't be obvious at first. Just a few random scratches here and there. Then as the conversation progresses increase the frequency and the duration of the scratching.

After a while the person will either back away to avoid whatever "cooties" you may have or (even better) will suffer a psychosomatic response and start thinking they're itchy as well.

And if/when they complain and your boss confronts you...blame dry skin. It causes itchiness, is not contagious, and can be tricky to treat without going too far and making your skin oily...which can also cause itchy skin.

That is awesome! I'm going to need to remember that.

[downforit2008]

Pick up a box of merchandise and hold it close against you so they can't invade your personal space. Worked for me before!!!

[Geek King]

I have really big feet, so "accidental" toe mashings tend to make the other person respect my personal bubble.