What are the boundaries of personal space?

Personal space can be defined as the comfortable distance between you and another person that you are talking to or stood next to. If someone invades your personal space, it means they are too close to you, and they are making you feel uncomfortable. Some people like to measure their personal space by the lengths of their arms. You might have done this in PE lessons, where you stick your arms out and move them around you to make sure you’re not stood too close to anyone. Think of it like a bubble around you that protects you. You can allow someone into your personal space if you want to, and you’re comfortable with it. For example, you might let someone into your personal space if you want a hug. These people should be people you know and trust, not strangers.

Personal Space Boundaries are the study of a set measurable distance between people as they interact, with the idea that we follow three space boundaries according to the following delineations. Personal Space Boundaries – Intimate Distance is for embracing, touching, or whispering less than 6 inches (15cm). Personal Space Boundaries – Personal Distance is for interactions among good friends or family members 1.5 to 2.5 feet (46 to 76cm). For interactions among strangers, there is a Close phase 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m) and acquaintances, and a Far phase 25 feet (7.6 m) or more. For example, a loved one we will allow to come into our private space completely, with friends, we will chat about an arm’s width apart but we like to keep 25 feet away from strangers, space allowing. Having an awareness of your own personal space boundaries can help you to be aware of other people’s. Comfortable personal space boundaries are also affected by the social situation, the gender of the person you are talking to, and of course individual preferences. Hall also realised that different cultures maintain different standards of personal space. In Latin cultures, for instance, those relative distances are smaller, and people tend to be more comfortable standing close to each other, in Nordic cultures the opposite is true.