How many times have you been uncomfortable with someone who came very close to you? Certainly you have never felt this way without even understanding why.
According to Edward Hall, an American anthropologist, the human being has spatial needs. I explain: the human being has a portable “air bubble” that is his personal space. It varies according to each culture: some need more open spaces, others accept more closed spaces, like the Japanese.
In order to have an idea of the importance of this for the human being, in the 1990s, there was an increase in acts of violence carried out by passengers of planes due to the simple fact that airlines have reduced the spaces between them. Excessive proximity creates discomfort, a sense of invasion of privacy and even stress.
These invisible spaces are divided into the following zones, varying more or less between men and women:
• Intimate zone: revolves around 14 cm to 46 cm away from our body. We allow really close people like family, pets, great friends and lovers to stay in this area;
• Personal zone: oscillates between 46 cm and 1.20 m. At parties and events, we usually keep this distance from other people present;
• Social zone: ranging from 1.20 m to 3.60 m. We keep this distance from people who provide services such as store clerks, postmen, new co-workers, new employees or people we don't know much about;
• Public area: above 3.60 m. We use this distance for large audiences, for example, when we speak in public to several people.
When someone approaches our intimate zone, reactions occur in our body: our heart rate increases and blood is pumped into the brain, which prepares our muscles for a possible escape. Therefore, not always hugging a person on a first date may be the best choice.
Keeping your distance can be the reason for winning or losing a business, for causing theoretically free sympathy or dislike. Have you noticed how when we get into an elevator we practically don't look or talk a lot? In this situation, we still make that “landscape face” and play with the statue, except to clear the way for those who are going to descend before us.
And, have you seen how many people arrive extremely stressed or sad at their jobs after some time inside a crowded train or bus? This is because your intimate areas are invaded by strangers and nothing can be done about it. Many companies offer chartered buses just so that their employees arrive more relaxed to work. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
Enraged crowds are dangerous because the spaces between people diminish and hostility increases between them. Thus, the crowd becomes angry and threatening, setting the stage for many fights to start.
This invasion of areas is also a factor that contributes to overpopulated cities with more sick people: the agglomeration produces more adrenaline and, consequently, increased stress.
Another proof of our relentless search for our space is the disputed chair supports in the cinema and on the plane.
Anyway, having this awareness can be a good tool for us to live better.
Do the test!
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