You are now entering my personal space. “Please mind your step, respect my boundaries and don’t come too close.” These are some of the phrases you might hear when you enter one’s personal space.
My personal space is very important to me. I am introverted, which means as much that I mostly derive my energy from being alone with my thoughts. Although I have no
problem with tolerating other people in my life, this is just in my nature.
problem with tolerating other people in my life, this is just in my nature.
I live in The Netherlands, one of the most densely populated countries in the world
(approx. 400 inhabitants per square kilometre). This means that we are
constantly sharing our space with each other. Everyone does this in their own
way, as do I.
(approx. 400 inhabitants per square kilometre). This means that we are
constantly sharing our space with each other. Everyone does this in their own
way, as do I.
Personal space is very situational. When I travel by public transport, I notice that
whenever I am forced to sit next to a stranger, I take great care of ensuring
that there’s enough space between me and my co-traveller. However, when I’m
with friends or family, I feel more at ease, and I can accept more intrusion of
my personal space.
whenever I am forced to sit next to a stranger, I take great care of ensuring
that there’s enough space between me and my co-traveller. However, when I’m
with friends or family, I feel more at ease, and I can accept more intrusion of
my personal space.
With this blog, I want to explore what personal space means, for me and for
others, in the broadest sense of the word. For me, the combination of images
and imagery is ideal to share my thoughts with the world. And, by sharing my
pictures with you, I’m also able to better share my own personal space.
others, in the broadest sense of the word. For me, the combination of images
and imagery is ideal to share my thoughts with the world. And, by sharing my
pictures with you, I’m also able to better share my own personal space.
Benchmark
I’m kicking my blogoff with the photo called “Benchmark”, in which I want to
illustrate the relation between personal space and posture.
illustrate the relation between personal space and posture.
Your posture can say a lot about your attitude. When you lean forward and look the
other person straight in the eye, you would probably describe this person as
being assertive. However, when you cannot maintain eye contact and you shy away
from people, you will probably be regarded as sub assertive.
other person straight in the eye, you would probably describe this person as
being assertive. However, when you cannot maintain eye contact and you shy away
from people, you will probably be regarded as sub assertive.
My assumption always was that people that are assertive or aggressive claim more
personal space than people that are sub assertive. By making yourself look
bigger by means of your posture, you demand more space and this will come at
the expense of others. This is, however, a misconception.
personal space than people that are sub assertive. By making yourself look
bigger by means of your posture, you demand more space and this will come at
the expense of others. This is, however, a misconception.
In the book “The Spaces Between Us” by neuroscientist Michael Graziano, personal space
is considered a second skin. He claims that the personal space of dominant
individuals is probably not larger than those of other people. It might be the
other way around. He uses the example of President Kennedy, who always had a 30
feet bubble surrounding him. This bubble probably existed, because the people
surrounding him have a larger personal space with regard to President Kennedy.
This larger personal space can be the result of anxiousness or maybe just out
of respect.
is considered a second skin. He claims that the personal space of dominant
individuals is probably not larger than those of other people. It might be the
other way around. He uses the example of President Kennedy, who always had a 30
feet bubble surrounding him. This bubble probably existed, because the people
surrounding him have a larger personal space with regard to President Kennedy.
This larger personal space can be the result of anxiousness or maybe just out
of respect.
The subject of personal space is still relatively new and has not been explored
much. I’m interested in reading and learning more to get a better understanding
of this concept. If you want to read more about this subject, I can highly
recommend this interview by Simon Worral with the author.
much. I’m interested in reading and learning more to get a better understanding
of this concept. If you want to read more about this subject, I can highly
recommend this interview by Simon Worral with the author.
Over the next months I will try and share more and more of my personal space. I hope you
enjoy the photos and the flavour text. Feel free to stay as long as you like in
my personal space, as long as you respect it!
enjoy the photos and the flavour text. Feel free to stay as long as you like in
my personal space, as long as you respect it!
- Frank