6.11 Space数字时代的商务英语写作.pdf

Nonverbal Communication 6.11Space Hi,everyone.Welcomeback to our course.Thisisthelast section of this chapter. We’ll talk about space. Here we focus on personal space. Personal space refers to the invisible boundary surrounding us. If someonecrossesthisboundary,wewillfeeluncomfortable. Cultural norms for personal space vary a lot. In cultures that stress individualism and privacy, such as England, the United States, Germany andAustralia, people generally demand more space. By contrast, people in South Europe, Middle East and South America are considered to be more “warm”by nature-- closeproximity aremore welcome and socially accepted. Also,personal spaceislikeabubble,which changesin shape and size depending on what situations we are in. Edward T Hall reports that psychologistshave identified four zones from which U.S.people interact: the intimate zone, the personal zone, the social zone, andthepubliczone. The intimate zone ranges from 15 to 45 centimeters. It’s the space reserved only for the most trusted and loved in our social circles. Parents, siblings, romantic partners can usually enter this area at will without causingalarm or anxiety. The personal zone ranges from 46 cm to 1.22 meters.This area is reserved for friends and family members or for encounters like hand-shaking, gesturing, standing near others at cocktail parties or other socialgatherings. The social zone isbetween 1.22 3.6meters.Itsthemost neutral – and comfortable zone to start a conversation with strangers, or between peoplewhodontknow each otherwell. Thepublic zone isthe most outer ‘bubble’and isusually larger than 3.6meters.Thiszoneisreserved for public speaking,or talkingto a large group. As you can see, the personal space is not only culturally determined but also changes with varying relationships. Generally speaking, the closertherelationship,theclosertheperson