he sat down , awkwardly of course , hampered as all tall people are , and a lot of short people also , by the smallness of the british tables and chairs , but he sat sideways to avoid bashing his knees against mine ( aha , definitely educated ) , which otherwise would have meant that i would have had to shift sideways ; i ca n't stand unwanted physical contact with others , not even if i know themgood looking females , needless to say , being the exception to the rule , whether i know them or not .