How to escape a close talker? Next time someone stands so close to you that they’re fogging(使蒙上水气) up your eyeglasses, try one of these evasive maneuvers(运用,演习). You will need: a fake sneeze(喷嚏), a rude question, a little spittle, a little white lie, and bluntness.
Step 1: Lean into them
Lean towards them. That’s right: get even closer to their face. It sounds counterintuitive(违反直觉的), but you’ll break through their miniscule(小的) personal space wall, forcing them to take a step back.
Step 2: Fake a sneeze
Open your mouth and flare your nostrils as though a big ol’ sneeze is about to spray thousands of snot(鼻涕) particles all over their face.
Step 3: Inquire about their breath
Ask them if they just ate garlic(大蒜). Unless they have no sense of shame, they’ll immediately open up the distance between you.
Tip: They might even be so embarrassed by the implication of bad breath that they’ll leave altogether.
Step 4: Spray them
While they’re talking, collect some saliva(口水) in your mouth so that when it’s your turn to talk, you hit them with a little spittle(唾沫).
Step 5: Tell them you're claustrophobic
Ask them to take a step back, explaining that you’re pathologically(病理上的) claustrophobic(幽闭恐惧症的). In fact, if you don’t get some space, you might vomit(呕吐). If that doesn’t make them take a step back, nothing will.
Did you know? Actor Judge Reinhold played “Aaron the Close Talker” in a 1994 Seinfeld episode.