Ever felt someone standing just a little too close—or maybe a bit too far away? In this episode of The Culture Hug Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of personal space and how it changes from one culture to another. From the wide personal bubbles of the U.S. to Japan’s quiet respect for physical distance, from the warm, close-contact norms of Southern Europe and South America to the bustling, shared-space realities of India and China, we break down what “comfortable” means around the globe. Drawing on credible cultural research and social science, we uncover why these differences exist—whether shaped by history, geography, or social values—and share tips for travelers, immigrants, and anyone navigating cross-cultural encounters. You’ll learn how to communicate personal space expectations without shaming, and how to embrace empathy in the process. Because sometimes, understanding the science behind “your bubble” is the first step to popping the stereotypes.
Sources:
- Archer, T. (2012). Invasions of privacy! Explaining the issue of personal space in China. eChinacities.com. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.echinacities.com/expat-life/Invasions-of-Privacy-Explaining-the-Issue-of-Personal-Space-in-China eChinacities
- Brown, N. (2001). Edward T. Hall, Proxemic Theory, 1966. CSISS Classics. UC Santa Barbara, eScholarship.org. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4774h1rm
- Country Navigator. (2024, September 2). What are the differences between high context and low context cultures? Country Navigator. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from [URL not provided]
- Dena. (2016, January 29). Weighing in on the Swedish personal space bubble. Study in Sweden, The Student Blog. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- Etiquette for Executives. (n.d.). Why is personal space crucial in international business? [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvdPR4pF_Zk YouTube
- Gilkison, K. (n.d.). The culture of queuing. International Consultants Centre. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- Kreuz, R., & Roberts, R. (2019, December 22). Proxemics 101: Understanding personal space across cultures. The MIT Press Reader. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- Lee, S. (2025, June 18). Respecting personal space in Asia. Number Analytics. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- Livermore, D. (2016, November 6). Weird, rude, or different?! Awkward cross-cultural moments. Cultural Intelligence Center. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- McManus, M. R. (2024, March 7). Which countries have the smallest personal space? HowStuffWorks.com. https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/which-countries-have-smallest-personal-space.htm
- r/AskACountry. (n.d.). Tell me about line/queue etiquette in your country [Online forum post]. Reddit. Retrieved August 9, 2025
- Tom. (2011, March 11). Personal space – China doesn’t have it. China Change. https://chinachange.org/2011/03/11/personal-space-china-doesnt-have-it/
- Weiss, E. N., Gillam, G., Simmons, K., & Stevenson, D. (2021, August 10). A quick queue … or a long one: Waiting in line around the world. Darden Ideas to Action – The University of Virginia. Retrieved August 9, 2025