How To Correctly Grasp Social Distance

Holzer, the American anthropologist, psychologist and founder of methodological significance, illustrates that the relationship between man and man in a civilized society depends on the size of the boundary or distance. There was an experiment in a hall with a row of chairs, assuming that two strangers entered the hall. If the first person sat on the south side and the other person sat next to the first person, the first person would instinctively move away and keep a distance from the second person. Even when on a crowded bus, when a body of unknown people is tightly attached, people will never allow others to approach their faces, especially their lips and eyes. All these indicate that no matter what circumstances, there is a space in the human body around them. Interpersonal communication is only natural and safe within this permitted space.

There are four types of social distance: intimacy distance, social distance, etiquette distance and public distance.

　　 1, intimate distance

0-0.5 meters for intimate distance. This is the distance between lovers, between husband and wife, between parents and children, and between loved ones. Intimacy distance can be divided into two types: near and far.

Close proximity is between 0-15 centimeters. This is a "intimate" distance space. In this space, people can enjoy many intimate feelings such as caress, comfort and protection. In this space, people can touch each other's skin and feel the temperature and smell of each other directly. Love between lovers in such a space, in such a space, both will feel happy and happy. The distance is close to 15-50 centimeters. This is a space that can be shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm. In this space, people can talk about private matters and whisper.

In public places, only loved ones can enter the space of intimacy. In front of the public, except for objective and crowded situations, the opposite sex should never enter this space, otherwise it will be disrespectful to the other party. Even if we are forced to enter this space due to crowding, we should try to avoid touching any part of the body to the other side.

　　 2, social distance

0.5-1.5 meters for social distance. At this distance, both sides stretch their hands and may touch each other. Because this distance is more open, close friends and acquaintances can enter this area at will.

　　 3, etiquette distance

1.5-3 meters for etiquette distance, people at this distance can greet, such as "Liu, long time no see." This is the distance used in formal social occasions such as business activities and state affairs. The distance is mainly reflected in the formality and solemnity of communication. In the offices of some leaders and business owners, the width of their desks is more than 2 meters. One of the purposes of designing this width is that the leaders can show their distance and dignity when speaking with their subordinates.

　　 4, public distance

3 meters away from the public distance, at this distance, the two sides only need to nod their greetings. If they shout loudly, they will be dishonest.