Week 6: Personal Space

Space: It’s Personal!

My Bubble
The topic of personal space resonates with me because I feel I need more space than the average person. My “personal, portable air bubble” is a very real and important part of my being so I keep it protected as much as I can (www.westsidetoastmasters.com). I believe my craving for space comes from several factors: the American culture, my upbringing in a small family, the rural area I grew up in, and my introverted personality.

1,000 Seats

I’ve had many experiences with my space being invaded but one stands out in my mind. Many years ago, a friend and I took a cruise. We boarded the ship a few hours before it set sail and decided to watch a movie in the theater. The theater was huge and had the capacity to seat at least 1,000 people. When we arrived it was completely empty, so we sat in the middle and several rows back from the screen. Initially, we thought we’d be the only ones watching the movie, but just before the lights dimmed a group of six Japanese people walked into the theater and sat right by us! The man in the seat next to me didn’t even leave an empty seat in between us. My friend and I were completely baffled and somewhat annoyed that they chose to sit so close when there were over 900 other seats to choose from. Not surprisingly, I spent the next two hours avoiding the armrest.

Hindsight

Fortunately, I now have a better understanding of how culture plays a role in personal space. The behavior of the Japanese people in the theater could probably be best understood when considering the following:   

-Japanese people have smaller “Intimate Zones” than Americans do.

-Japanese culture is accustomed to overcrowding.

-Japan is a collectivistic culture.

Cultural Tips

It’s wise to seek an understanding of how other cultures view personal space in order to avoid misunderstandings. Check out these tips from The Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership:

 -When teaching in a classroom or traveling to other places, take time to learn about what kind of personal space is appropriate in different cultures.

 -Observe what others do. If someone doesn’t offer to shake your hand, don’t offer your hand. Observing body language and cues can help you avoid a potentially embarrassing situation. 

 -Instead of judging a culture (like I did on the cruise ship), look for ways to understand why cultures value or don’t value space the way they do.  

Making Space for the Lord
The one person I definitely believe in making space for is the Lord. In the October 2019 General Conference, Michelle Craig explained that allowing the Lord to come into our lives increases our ability to receive revelation. She stated, “As you use your agency to carve out time every day to draw close to God’s voice, especially in the Book of Mormon, over time His voice will become clearer and more familiar to you.” So very true!

Sources:

John Ivers “Personal Space” Video, BYU-I

https://video.byui.edu/media/05+Personal+Space+Differences/0_yz4lk5f0

Westside Toastmasters

https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap9.html

Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership

https://cil.berkeley.edu/close-talker-personal-space/

October 2019 LDS General Conference

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/15craig?lang=eng