Kneeler courtesy

[ccmcmg]

Sorry, guess I wasn’t clear either. I was using your post to agree that the person being ‘crowded’ as it were should be the one who makes the adjustment.

As a slightly different note, it is always tricky when someone from a culture with a wide personal space has to interact closely with someone (or many someones) from a culture with a much narrower personal space.

I was at adoration the other night, and took a pew near the front. Shortly thereafter, a man came in and sat down in front of me; I didn’t realize those were his coats; I thought it was the man at the other end of the first pew. So in a chapel for around 30 people, there were 2 in the first pew, and me directly behind in the second pew. The rest was empty.

 

[Rae8]

Our parish opened a new church only about five months ago, and prior to that we held mass in our ministry building using chairs, and no kneelers. The priest had given us all some reminders about when and why to kneel since for many people it had been years without kneelers.

Since I am a soon to be Catholic, I have only gone to mass in this parish, and only know what I’ve learned this far. So, here’s the situation. I know that we are meant to remain kneeling as long as there is communion being served, and until the priest returns the host to the tabernacle and closes the door. At that point, everyone sits back in the pew again. However, I have had the annoying experience a few times that a couple of people just don’t seem to want to continue kneeling, and sit back in their pew instead. This is very awkward if they are sitting right in front of me! They end up having their head right in my face and hands as I try to reverently kneel. What is the proper etiquette? I think since I am supposed to be kneeling, they should give way. What do you think?

I’m glad someone brought this up.

I think people should at least try to take a quick look behind them before sitting back. Last week, this man sat back roughly while I was deeply in prayer and kneeling and slammed against my hands and head I opened my eyes and adjusted myself but before I could move back further, he rammed his back against me again! I was stunned at the rudeness.

That same week, at another mass not long after that one, church was not full and because I often stay in prayer longer than some, I made a point to sit behind an empty space which was next to this woman sitting alone. Well, the lady in front left, had apparently decided to do the same thing when time to kneel as she moved over to her right so when she finally sat back - in the once empty seat - she hit me. But she was as surprised as I was and moved back to edge of seat and was a lot nicer than that other experience.

 

[ccmcmg]

I’m glad someone brought this up.

I think people should at least try to take a quick look behind them before sitting back. Last week, this man sat back roughly while I was deeply in prayer and kneeling and slammed against my hands and head I opened my eyes and adjusted myself but before I could move back further, he rammed his back against me again! I was stunned at the rudeness.

Someone must have just gotten off the airplane and thought he should be able to recline in his seat…

 

[Rae8]

Someone must have just gotten off the airplane and thought he should be able to recline in his seat…

LOL… That must’ve been it. I give him benefit of the doubt. Maybe he thought something wasn’t quite right and tried a 2nd time to get comfortable. He and his family carried up the cups that night so kind doubt it…