PART 2 (click here for Part 1)

Room to move

Even how much personal space you take up and how much space you accord to others sends a message.

Personal space operates on a sliding scale. It’s influenced by culture, gender and context. Two women will tend to stand closer together than two men or a woman and a man. People from crowded places such as China or New York City will be used to a smaller circle of personal space while those from sparsely populated places such as western Queensland will be accustomed to a much bigger 'bubble' of personal space.

Sometimes personal space is artificially created by avoiding eye contact and angling body posture away from other people such as in a crowded tube carriage or in a lift. Then, as soon as people exit the train or lift, they automatically take back their 'natural' personal space.

Status will influence personal space, as people will instinctively give someone of high status more space. This is more noticeable in cultures where people are more conscious of status, as in Asian countries. Cultures where personal relationships are considered important in business will tend to shrink the personal space bubble, as in parts of South America and Africa.