What is Personal Space in the U.S.?
What International Students Need to Know About Personal Space
Type of Relationship:
One factor of personal space involves how well you know the other person. The more intimate the relationship, the less personal space is involved. If it is someone you are already close to, then personal space is not an issue. You like touching the person. You like being physically close to the person. This is common in a close, personal relationship.
On the other hand, if the other person is someone you do not know well, you want him or her to keep his or her distance. You do not want them to whisper into your ear. And, if the person is someone you do not like, the room just is not large enough for the two of you. Right? That is personal space.
Work relationships typically involve the standard two-foot policy. This both looks more professional and is commonplace.
Personal space is usually not mentioned in a conversation. Unless someone exclaims, "Get out of my face!" very rarely will someone mention that his or her personal space is being invaded. Therefore, this is usually picked up by many nonverbal cues. Some of the nonverbal ways to signify personal space include:
Eyes: Invade someone's personal space and you will be greeted with darting eyes. You may receive sharp, piercing glares. Or, a surprised look may be received.
Lips: Tight, pursed lips are a common reaction to someone invading another's personal space.
Movement: Invade another's personal space and notice how the invaded takes a step back. They are trying to maintain their two-foot perimeter.
Body posture: Arms crossed, legs crossed, erect posture all signify closing one's self off from others. These are all common reactions to an invasion of personal space. The same can be said of turning your entire body away from the person (like leaning away).
Head gestures: Turning one's head either away or back is a way of dealing with the invasion of personal space.
Personal space is an issue that has drawn much attention. There are volumes of studies, literature, and speaking engagements with this as the topic. It is a fascinating topic, indeed.
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- There seems to be a standard 2' area around people in the U.S.
- Body posture is an indication of some one's response to their space being invaded.
- There a variety of nonverbal cues to watch out for.
3 Comments
Post a Comment"Space invasion" can creep me out.
It is the responsibility of the person uncomfortable with the touchy-feely actions to tell the instructor. The person should do so in a discreet manner so that there the instructor is not offended or embarrassed - such as before or after class, aside from anyone within earshot. It's easy to do - the person should just be honest and tell the instructor without any harm done.
If a trainer states that they are "touchy-feely" at the onset of a class, when and who's responsibility is it to let the instructor know they have invaded a personal space?