Why we need our personal spaceThe unspoken cultural rules of how close is too close.

From the show

Why We Do That

That feeling of someone standing too close isn't just a personal quirk; it's a deeply ingrained cultural norm. This is the hidden language of personal space, a set of unspoken rules that vary dramatically around the world. Understanding these differences in proxemics—from high-contact to low-contact cultures—is key to avoiding social friction. What one person considers friendly, another might perceive as an invasion of their safety bubble. Learning this nonverbal cue can change how you interpret social interactions.