The De Teliga Report

Proxemics

An anthropologist researcher named E. T. Hall developed a theory about the ways we utilise space between people to communicate non-verbally. Its name is proxemics. He developed this theory in 1963, and it is as useful today as it was then.

What is “Proxemics”? 

It is the study of space between humans and how we use this space to say certain things to others.

Proxemics is used today to assist in the design of retail outlets, restaurants, offices and even public seating areas.

Given that almost 90% of all human communication is non-verbal, being attuned to proxemics allows us to learn a great deal about our relationships with others without saying a single word.

How does proxemics help us? 

Proxemics allows us to determine spatial layouts or designs for all types of areas.

Proxemics also needs to adjust with cultural differences.

Anyone designing a public area, seating area, meeting area, retail zone or eating zone must be aware of proxemics - poor design will lead to poor spatial usage and lack of business. 

1. The Intimate Space 

Consider this, in western civilisation  a “comfortable” distance between people in an intimate or private situation is generally 15-45 centimetres - a “zone” for whispering, embracing or whatever else people do when they are so close. 

2. The Personal Space 

This zone is the comfortable distance when have a conversation with friends, family or close colleagues. This zone has a distance of between 45cms to 1.2 metres.

This space is also used to separate people waiting in queues at ATMs, bank tellers, or indeed anywhere that requires each of us to reasonably make personal contact with man or machine.

We have all experienced the discomfort of a person invading this space when we wait in a queue for some sort of service. 

3. Social Space  

This space is comfortable for conversations with work colleagues and acquaintances where it would be impolite to get any closer (Jerry Seinfeld’s “close talker” episode). This distance is between 1.2 metres and 3.5 metres.

This space also separates strangers, and designers will find that areas that do not allow for this distance will rarely attract users or patrons or customers. 

4. Public Space 

This is the polite and comfortable distance between say, a public speaker and an audience. This distance is 3.5 metres and beyond.

In his book Hidden Dimension, E.T. Hall illustrates that perceived spatial violations can lead to clashes between cultures - for example Western and Middle Eastern civilisations (where the distances between speakers is generally much smaller) can feel threatened when they communicate using different cultural distances.

In Saudi Arabia, for example, you might find yourself nose-to-nose with a business associate because their social space equates to our intimate space. you will probably find yourself backing away trying to regain your social space while your associate peruses you across the floor trying to maintain his. finally, you would come away from the encounter thinking he was “pushy”, and he thinking you were “stand-offish”.

If, on the other hand, you were visiting a friend in the Netherlands, you would find the roles reversed, you would be doing the chasing because their personal space equates to our social space.

Knowledge of proxemics within different cultures is vital for any space. One size does not fit all.

If you would like any more information, or wish to discuss this matter please contact me:

Mark de Teliga 0410 463 643/ markdeteliga@gmail.com