Cross cultural understanding: a handbook to understand others’ cultures

For 
Detail 
relationships consenting 
close 
activities such 
as 
contact 
sports, and crowded places 
such as parties, bars, concerts, 
public transport, queues and 
entertainment 
and 
sports 
spectating 
events. 
Non-
consenting intrusion into this 
space is normally felt to be 
uncomfortable at best, or very 
threatening and upsetting at 
worst. Within the intimate 
zone a person's senses of smell 
and touch (being touched) 
become especially exercised. 
Personal 
space
1-2m 
family and 
close friends 
Touching is possible in this 
zone, but intimacy is off-
limits. Hence touching other 
than 
hand-shaking 
is 
potentially uncomfortable.
Social
space
3m 
non-touch 
interaction, 
social, 
business
Significantly hand-shaking is 
only possible within this zone 
only if both people reach out 
to do it. Touching is not 
possible unless both people 
reach to do it.