Social question: if you are in a public place and someone is sitting on a couch, can you sit on the other side too?

I think it’s okay. Maybe she was done sitting or wanted you to be comfortable to sit down?

As long as you don’t sit directly beside them touching for no reason you’re good

Depends on how long the couch is…

I would have gotten up too honestly but only because I really don’t like being seated next to strangers. When I go to the DMV if there aren’t many seats I’ll literally stand. I think a lot of people are also still freaked out from COVID plus it’s flu season and so people should be kind of keeping a distance anyways

I don’t see anything wrong with it. As stated above she might have just been about to get up anyway. But if not, some people just have a wide bubble (personal space) maybe 🤷🏾‍♀️?

I like to ask before, and only if the couch is long enough to seat 3. That way we have elbow room. I may sit on the arm of the couch facing the opposite way if possible just to give more space if I sense any kind of discomfort coming from them.

This happens to me with park benches. Especially when I was pregnant, I would take lots of breaks on walks and people would always leave LOL I was offended at first (especially because I finally had a small talk topic, pregnancy 🤰) but then it was just funny to me. On the other hand I get just not feeling social and preemptively enforcing that boundary. People are sometimes weird with personal space especially after COVID. I get that too. You were well within your socially acceptable rights to sit, as were they to leave.

Its the same as on a bus. Its a public space, everyones allowed to sit. You dont have to ask permission to sit next to someone on a bus.

Personally I wouldn't because I'm socially awkward😂 but I think it is a normal thing to do, especially if there are no other seats available

I have regular anxiety, but no social anxiety. This post/these comments are making me realize how it looks to be on the other side for once 😂 yes you can sit, like someone else said as long as your not touching it’s fine even if it’s a loveseat.

Yes I can and I wouldn’t think to much into her getting up . Everyone has things to do that I’m not aware of

You CAN but i think society has changed so much that people jist feel uncomfortable/odd when strangers sit next to them now. Like obligated to chat or something. Tech has made us very anti-social and awkward over the years.

Im quite old fashioned, open speaker and confident so will often have small talk with a stranger if they wish. But it is not the norm now i've noticed 🤷🏼‍♀️

How awkward. You are absolutely fine to sit there and if they have some weird personal issue with it (social anxiety, medical anxiety over flu or covid etc.) that’s on them and you shouldn’t feel bad about them getting up. For those saying you should ask first - no you shouldn’t. It’s a public space.