Personal Space

2009 February 18
by Grace Boyle

I grew up in Iowa where physically, there was a lot of open frontier space. Inversely, the three months I spent in Costa Rica I experienced a ‘breach’ in my personal bubble where the people behind me in lines were close enough that I could feel their breath on my neck. Additionally, I’ve traveled to Bangkok, Thailand where the population for the city alone is 64 million. Each, vastly different.

Boing Boing guest blogger, Charles Platt asks “To what extent do we feel overcrowded, as a species? I’m not talking about resources; just psychological factors.” Do we ever think about personal space or is it something Americans take for granted? I believe it’s a mix between sociological factors and the physical space that is left around us, that we’re lucky (or not so) to experience. GOOD Magazine wrote about personal space, via Boing Boing and graphed personal space by each country. Take a look, it might surprise you.


What kind of personal space do you desire? Do you live in a small studio in a crowded city like NYC? Are you just looking for the freedom to roam? Does this affect us mentally and physically?

Related Posts with Thumbnails

from → Community

  • http://modite.com/blog Rebecca

    I totally have a very picky way of where I sit in restaurants in bars. I think cultures that need less personal space our more friendly though :)

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @Rebecca I like to pick the corner booth over the table that's in the center of the restaurant, but this of course depends on my mood and who I am with.

    What a good point! Cultures like Latin America and Italy (where I've spent time in) need less personal space and it's because they love to hug and touch, in a friendly kind way. More tactile you could say.

  • http://brianlburns.com brianlburns

    undoubtedly, I believe it has a great psychological effect on all of us, and I undoubtedly require a good deal of personal space. I pay attention to maintaining it, and punch people in the nose when they violate it. well, not really, but boy do I want to!

    perhaps that's just the Vermont part of me, or perhaps I'm somewhat unique in that regard.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @Brian, see it's interesting that some people want to react in that way. I get frustrated when I'm in line at the bank and someone is so close to my back I can feel them, I usually react by turning around and looking at them. Passive, but to the point. Then again, that's an American way to act as in we feel 'violated.' Some countries don't even blink an eye like I said to @Rebecca they're more tactile and you hug a stranger out of joy.

    I also think where you grew up (physically) and how you were raised psychologically are two great proponents. With that being said, Vermont's open space and small population definitely has something to do with it.

  • http://missexpatria.wordpress.com Miss Expatria

    Having lived in Europe for so long, where personal space is a different concept than in the States, I'm ok in public spaces with very little personal space. But I have found that I have become much more jealous in guarding my space in my home, that I share with my boyfriend. We both stay AWAY from each other during the day in the house, and it's very important for me to have time alone in the house, too. Just for the space to walk around.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @Miss Expatria Interesting, so it goes beyond the physical space in which you live and have adjusted to Europe's different use of personal space. However, when it comes down to your OWN, real personal space you have to have it.

    Maybe there are two levels here–the personal space that we find ourselves experiencing (or not) everyday in public and the personal space in our houses or rooms. Thanks for your thoughts and by the way, I absolutely love your blog!

  • http://brianlburns.com brianlburns

    You know, there are some things I'm willing to admit other countries have right, and we have wrong. Like universal health care, for instance. However, I don't think personal space is one of them. I believe other countries that sacrifice personal space are missing a fundamental piece of their own self-awareness, and I think they suffer because of it.

    How's that for culturally insensitive?

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    Not cultural insensitivity, rather, personal opinion that is very much valid. The differences are so vast, it's really obvious and I think it's okay. They are socialized that the lack of personal space in some instances is completely normal, where we're taught if someone gets too close to you it's a sign of danger or a red flag.

    I do value my personal space, but as @Miss Expatria mentioned, she lives in Europe so is used to how it works in public, but in her own space it's very important regardless of where you live to get your own personal space and treasure it.

  • http://iquitforlijit.typepad.com/i_quit_for_lijit/ tarable

    Interesting stuff Grace. Being a Wyoming girl at heart, I'm used to being surrounded by wide, open spaces. When I'm in the big city, I start feeling claustrophobic. I don't necessarily mind people in my personal space but I do mind it when I can't see much of the horizon.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @tarable: “I do mind it when I can't see much of the horizon,” touché sister, touché. It makes me feel free and breathe with ease.

  • http://cassandrajowett.squarespace.com Cassandra Jowett

    I live in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada in a one-bedroom apartment. While it's true there's tons of space to be found in this country, the majority of Canadians live in dense pockets relatively near the Canada-U.S. border.

    I would say more than half the land area in Canada is considered unliveable by most due to the harsh climate and sparse population.

    I love living in Canada's largest city, but I do love travelling around the country and seeing the vast, unpopulated areas. Sometimes I think I would love nothing more than a beat up old house on the east coast, or a little cottage in the mountains, or a small farm in the middle of nowhere.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @Cassandra what a great representation for a country like Canada. Sometimes population issues have less to do with all the people and sociological factors but that they're literally unlivable because of the climate, like the Northern half of Canada.

    I share the same desire for the country and vast, unpopulated areas like a little cottage in the mountain (I see them everywhere here in Colorado).

    I love your blog, so thanks for visiting Cassandra.

  • http://cassandrajowett.squarespace.com Cassandra Jowett

    I live in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada in a one-bedroom apartment. While it's true there's tons of space to be found in this country, the majority of Canadians live in dense pockets relatively near the Canada-U.S. border.

    I would say more than half the land area in Canada is considered unliveable by most due to the harsh climate and sparse population.

    I love living in Canada's largest city, but I do love travelling around the country and seeing the vast, unpopulated areas. Sometimes I think I would love nothing more than a beat up old house on the east coast, or a little cottage in the mountains, or a small farm in the middle of nowhere.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    @Cassandra what a great representation for a country like Canada. Sometimes population issues have less to do with all the people and sociological factors but that they're literally unlivable because of the climate, like the Northern half of Canada.

    I share the same desire for the country and vast, unpopulated areas like a little cottage in the mountain (I see them everywhere here in Colorado).

    I love your blog, so thanks for visiting Cassandra.

  • Pingback: One-Year Anniversary of Small Hands, Big Ideas and My Move to Boulder | Small Hands, Big Ideas

  • http://www.discount-louis-vuitton.com louis vuitton for sale

    The post of content is very ugg boots interesting and exciting. I learned a lot from here.The content from simple to complex, so all of you can come in . No matter you want to see what can be found.By the way ,there are some websites is also very wonderful,you can go and see.such asXXXXX.

  • http://www.discount-louis-vuitton.com air force 1 shoes

    Well , the view of the passage is totally correct ,your details is really reasonable and you guy give us valuable informative post, I totally agree the standpoint of upstairs. I often surfing on this forum when I m free and I find there are so much good ugg boots information we can learn in this forum!

  • http://www.kingcashgold.ca cash for gold

    How can you live better in smaller places? Compact living spaces are a boon for the environment – lower carbon footprint and all that. But, let's face it, small spaces are a hassle for those who like their clutter and a feeling of freedom. Modest luxury is all about doing the most with the space you have – so try these ideas on for size.