There is a great article from The Independent, that talks about the cultural differences in personal space.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/personal-space-boundaries-different-countries-argentina-uk-romania-a7713051.html
"According to a new study, Brits like to keep a meter from a stranger, 80cm from an acquaintance and just over 50cm from an intimate or close friend. This is in contrast to Argentinians who keep a 76cm distance for a stranger, 59cm for an acquaintance and 40cm for a friend."
The results of the study suggest that cultural differences could result in misconceived rudeness.
We learned on the article Personal Space Ownership, that no because people want you close they are being disrespectful, nor because they don't come as close as you are used to they mean to be rude.
There are many factors, previously discussed, that makes people feel that need for space. The place where they grew up, the way in which they were raised, and even religious reasons make each person grant the rest of the world a physical distance they judge appropriate.
One of the things I learned in this lesson, in particular, is that it is important not to overlook this aspect of the student's lives. They all come with there clearly defined concept of personal space, and that is a real frontier, one that we should never invade for the sake of students progress. Proximity does not mean always a good thing, but knowing the rules that our students have about their personal space me serve us well to show them respect, the respect they had in mind when they set up those boundaries.
Being raised in a “high contact culture “and then moving into a “low contact culture” helped me understand the differences people have in this area. When I first got in the USA, 18 years ago, I found people to be distant and cold because of the lack of proximity and contact which for me was ‘“the normal” way to behave . After living here for 18 years I confess that I, myself, have incorporated some of of American way of socializing and when it comes to personal space, if an acquaintance gets to close it bothers me . When I have my “Brazilian moments” and feel like giving. an American a hug , I always ask for permission, making sure The person is comfortable with it.
ResponderEliminarPS: “ High and low “context” culture”. :)
ResponderEliminarPersonal space is therefore partially culturally determined. When we teach to students from different cultures, we must be aware of circumstances in each culture, and open opportunities to help everybody in the class and act in a good environment.
ResponderEliminarIf we do not know these differences in personal space we can be accused of inappropriate behavior inside our classrooms. Sometimes the students do not understand this distance they must keep.
Personal space is therefore partially culturally determined. When we teach to students from different cultures, we must be aware of circumstances in each culture, and open opportunities to help everybody in the class and act in a good environment.
ResponderEliminarIf we do not know these differences in personal space we can be accused of inappropriate behavior inside our classrooms. Sometimes the students do not understand this distance they must keep.