DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I was in line at the post office, a woman stood directly behind me instead of on the plainly marked circle 6 feet away. I asked her politely to move back to the marker -- not once, but twice.
I was furious when she did not move back. She was less than 12 inches away from me. What else could I have done without causing a scene?
GENTLE READER: Suggest she go first, and then move to a position 6 feet behind her.
Miss Manners realizes that this may sound like rewarding bad behavior, but she assures you that all but the most hardened offenders will find this mortifying. And because you were polite, it will be difficult for the woman to retaliate.