{{{{{{{Sorrel}}}}}}}}

I know how you feel. I have this feeling all the time on the bus and in addition to people being too close to me, I can't stand strong smells-- cologne, perfume, body odor, hair spray, etc. I almost crawled up my own nose the other day on the way home from work. First a guy sat in front of me and stuck his arm up in the air. The window in front of him was open and his awful, vile b.o. blew right into my every last olfactory nerve! BLAT! I had to get up and run down the aisle to another seat (thankfully there was one). He got off the bus shortly thereafter and I was able to breathe again. Then yesterday, a woman with powder based perfume sat in front of me and I literally covered my mouth and nose with my hand and tried not to breathe until she got off the bus. Then after she got off and I was about to relax, a young person (I couldn't tell whether boy or girl) sat in front of me and their shampoo or deodorant was grossing me out. And I won't even go into what happens when a dirty street person sits next to me. That's when I try to crawl up my own nose to escape!

I'm not sure what to tell you except to try to be as polite as you can when you feel that your space is being invaded. I would never be able to say something to anyone, so bravo for trying to take care of yourself in the moment. People are probably offended because it hurts when it seems that someone else thinks they're gross. I would just maybe explain that you have a little claustrophobia and you are just starting to venture out into these public transportation situations. I bet they'll understand. And I would definitely try not to hit anyone-- you never know who has a knife or pepper spray and will lash back at you. Be careful!

Good luck and may you have lots of elbow room!!

-K.