Drawing the Line on Personal Space

By Dr. Latanya Hughes
Assistant Professor, School of Business at American Public University

How close is too close? The issue of personal space and boundaries is a delicate one. The issue of personal space is culture specific.

Americans require a great deal of personal space whereas individuals from Latin countries are more comfortable standing close to others as they interact.  Where did all of this originate?

Studies show that people develop boundaries surrounding personal space between the ages of 3 and 4.  According to Ralph Adolphs, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the California Institute of Technology, a person’s personal space (or bubble) is solidified by the adolescent years.

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall described four levels of social distance that occur in different situations:

1. Intimate distance – 6 to 18 inches
2. Personal distance – 1.5 to 4 feet
3. Social distance – 4 to 12 feet
4. Public distance – 12 to 25 feet

So what should you do when your personal space is invaded? Here are a few tips:

1. Assess the social norms of the people with whom you interact. Remember, personal space is a cultural issue. Take the time to study other people’s customs so that you don’t veer too close (or remain too far) from those with whom you want to interact. This is especially important when interacting in a global marketplace. This can be the difference between solidifying a multi-million dollar contract and having a client pull out of an important business deal!
2. Assess the situation.  Recognize when people have gone or are going further or closer than they would like to go based on their own preferences or social norms.  Reduce this tension and show your empathetic side by acknowledging when you or your partners are victims of circumstance. Everyone will feel a sigh of relief.
3. Proceed with caution. When meeting someone for the first time, stand further away, particularly when dealing with Western individuals.
4. Recognize your own discomfort. It is important to understand where your own personal boundaries lie. You may have deep-rooted issues with intimacy you may need to address.  If you fail to address these issues, it could lead to outbursts of anger, which could be costly.
5. Is there another reason? Perhaps the reason people are not interested in connecting with you is because you had too much garlic and/or onions for lunch. Perhaps you were in a hurry and overlooked an important personal grooming matter.  Don’t be afraid to inquire as to why others are maintaining a distance from you that is beyond the social norm. The cause may be something that can be easily fixed.

About the Author: Dr. Latanya Hughes is a full-time faculty member at American Public University. She received a bachelor’s degree (Hospitality Management) from Tuskegee University and a master’s degree (MBA) from Strayer University. She received the Doctor of Strategic Leadership in Global Consulting from Regent University in the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.