touched by, others. Anthropological research
findings show that the use of personal space
varies form culture to culture; four different
distance zones are identified, for example, as
used in North America (Ibid). These are:
I. Intimate Distance (50 centimeter from our
bodies; reserved for lovemaking, wrestling,
comforting, protecting, etc.);
II. Personal Distance (extends from 50
centimeter to 120 centimeter surrounding
our bodies; these spaces are reserved for
friends, acquaintances and conversations);
III. Social Distance (extends from 120
centimeter to 3.6 meters for impersonal or
formal relationships; e.g., for job
interviews); and
IV. Public Distance (this zone extends from
3.6 meters; it marks a more formal
relationship. This is used to separate
dignitaries and public speakers from the
general public.)