personal space
Don't stand close
Personal space is the invisible boundary around a person's body that feels like their own territory.
Most people feel uncomfortable when strangers stand too close: He kept inching forward, totally invading my personal space.
The acceptable distance varies by culture—some societies stand closer than others.
By extension, personal space can mean someone's private time or mental room to breathe: I need some personal space to think this through.
Air-filled film sphere
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- zoneBounded area designation
- distanceSpace between two points
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
margin · barrier · limit · threshold · arm's length · demarcation · separation · encroachment
Maintained interpersonal gap
- crowdingExcessive gathering in limited space
- hoveringSuspended without support
- close talkerOne who crowds during conversation
- strangerPerson not yet known
elevator · queue · subway · packed · jostling · shoulder-to-shoulder · elbow room · standing room
State of being alone
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- withdrawalAct of taking away
alone time · isolation · quiet · undisturbed · refuge · haven · escape · me time
Granted right to act
- invitationRequest to attend
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
uneasy · anxious · defensive · guarded · assertive · confrontation · back off · step back
Expected behavioral standards
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
acceptable · respectful · offensive · rude · polite · taboo · Western · Latin
bubble
Air-filled film sphere
perimeter · margin · barrier · limit · threshold · arm's length · demarcation · separation · encroachment · violation
social distance
Maintained interpersonal gap
- crowdingExcessive gathering in limited space
- hoveringSuspended without support
- close talkerOne who crowds during conversation
stranger · elevator · queue · subway · packed · jostling · shoulder-to-shoulder · elbow room · standing room · seating
solitude
State of being alone
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
alone time · withdrawal · isolation · quiet · undisturbed · refuge · haven · escape · me time · breathing room
permission
Granted right to act
- invitationRequest to attend
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
uncomfortable · uneasy · anxious · defensive · guarded · assertive · confrontation · back off · step back · excuse me
norms
Expected behavioral standards
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
appropriate · acceptable · respectful · offensive · rude · polite · taboo · Western · Latin · Nordic
- cultural differenceslocal cuisine, dialect, slang, religious practices, holiday customs
- introversionintroversion, solitude, alone time, isolation, loner
- social customshandshake, greeting, politeness, etiquette, formal address
- social normsnorms, greeting, mores, handshake, custom
- travel etiquettetipping, queuing, dress codes, punctuality, greeting customs
- unwritten ruleseye contact, tipping, queue jumping, holding doors, table manners
personal spacephysical contact
Bodies directly touching
touching · crowding · embrace · huddle · skin-to-skin contact
personal spaceintrusion
Unauthorized entry into space
invasion · encroachment · boundary crossing · imposition · public exposure
personal spacecommunal living
Shared domestic arrangement
togetherness · shared space · mosh pit · public space · gregariousness
space, person, personal, personality, personally, impersonal, personable, personalize, personage