Dina 10/21/17; Lesson 06: Response to "Personal Space Differences"

The distance surrounding a person forms a space. Anthropologist Edward Hall was one of the pioneers in the study of man’s spatial needs. His research in this area helps us to understand human’s relationships with each other. Hall divided the interpersonal distances of man in four distinct zones: a. intimate space; b. personal space; c. social space, and d. public space.

I’ve read that women stand closer to one another, face each other more and touch more than men do with other men. This is contrary to my experience, because men in Romania and other countries, starting from very young age, shake hands each time they meet.

The behavior of nations as far as personal space is concerned varies across the world. For Americans, Caucasian and African Americans the personal space is 18 to 36 inches, for Asians close personal space may be acceptable within the cultural group, but they avoid touching, and Europeans prefer distant personal space.                                                 

                                                                                              

I liked the article “Why do Argentinians love invading your personal space?” (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/south-america/argentina/articles/argentina-personal-space/) 

The article tells us that it is difficult for a person, foreigner or not, to avoid being at “a rather intimate distance from Argentinians.” Argentinians greet their family, friends and even persons they just met with a hug and kiss; less than that is considered rude by them. A study on the field reveals that Argentina is the country where people require the least amount of personal space: they generally stay 2.5 feet away from strangers, while Romanians need about 5 feet (at least 140 cm).

“Argentinians are very touchy”, as the article mentions. When they are talking, they are touching. This might be an explanation for the fact that milonguero, a style of close-embrace tango, originates there, in Argentina. Tango is an expression of this culture. Personal space is a barrier on the way of foreigners who want to learn how to dance tango. They need to break that barrier to be able to dance. Tango comes from a culture where people embrace people. In other countries, this dance is sport-related, but in Argentina it is more culture.

The article also presents the experience of an Argentinian who visited USA. He remembered that at a party in USA nobody said hello to him, that he had the feeling he did not exist. His presence was noticed after one hour. At a party in Argentina, people go and say hi to everyone and kiss them, even if they do not know them. Argentinians consider rude to just sit down and not talk.

The knowledge I obtained about personal space will help me. I will understand better people in the countries I will visit and students I will teach.