Analog film photography and cameras

Also the rangefinder (and rangefinder 'style')cameras often have the viewfinder stuck right atthe edge of the body, when you use it it block your face much lessly than an slr (...)

You do look through the viewfinder (near the left edge of the camera) with your left eye, right?
So the camera is basically right in front of your face, right?
What do you mean by "block your face much lessly"?

I do understand that generally people are less 'scared' by little cameras opposed to huge SLRs,
but I think when you do want to seriously photograph people you have do deal with that 'barrier' anyway,
also you can look at it as a plus, some people feel like it's more "serious" if you have a big camera,
as idiotic as this seems.