Lesson 6 10/21/17 Personal Space

Personal Space and Where to Find It

Personal space is generally pretty important in the United States. However, the amount of person space one is allotted can vary greatly from region to region. There are things from different cultures that can cause an absence of personal space. We would feel this absence greatly, but most would not notice. Here is a list of things that can take away your personal space:

Family
In many countries, families live in multi-generational households. Parents buy a home, their children are born, grow up and get married. However, the newly weds move right in with the parents! They would have kids, their kids grow up, get married, and add to the household. Imagine all of the toilet paper they go through! This creates an extremely close environment. The family is not only physically close in their living space, but they are also emotionally close, and share parenting responsibilities.

Transportation
Many other countries use public transportation. In heavily populated areas, the public transportation can become extremely crowded. It is normal for someone to be making full body contact with you, and it would not be considered rude or harassment.


Poverty
There is poverty world wide. Conditions of poverty create a deficit of space and possessions. When you do not have a lot, often times personal relationships develop more intimately, or the few possessions available have very significant importance to their owner. While we may see something as disposable, to someone who come from poverty, they may see it as a sacred, personal item. Possessions and space are seen differently.