Page 190 - Communication across Cultures

Communication across Cultures

cial situations or needs.
In the United States, a small, cluttered desk implies low status; a larger desk usu-
ally indicates higher status. However, the position of the desk and the arrangement of
the chairs in a business office are of communicative importance as well. If the chairs in
an office are directly in front of the occupant’s desk and if the occupant does not come
from behind the desk, a nonverbal tone of impersonal behavior may be perceived. As
we might expect, again, the use of space and material objects is culture bound. For
instance, in Germany where privacy is often valued, a closed door in an office is the ex-
pected behavior. In North America, a closed door can indicate something else, so many
managers attempt to maintain openness by leaving the door or curtain open. When an
employee enters the office and closes the door, other employees receive a message that
something is secretive.
3) Personal Space
Personal space refers to the proxemic area surrounding an individual, within which
they feel comfortable and secure. The size of personal space varies across individuals
and cultures and can be influenced by factors such as upbringing, social norms, and
personal preferences. Personal space acts as an invisible boundary that individuals
maintain to protect their privacy and avoid discomfort. Violating someone’s personal
space can lead to feelings of intrusion or discomfort, while respecting personal space
helps promote a sense of security and well-being in social interactions.
This personal space refers to an individual’s unconscious structuring the micro-
space immediately surrounding the physical body. This space is not only culturally
determined but results from varying relationships, that is, among North Americans,
friends usually stand closer than strangers. What’s more, American anthropologist Hall
observed that space communicates and, thus, affects our intercultural relationships.
The flow and shift of distance between people as they interact with each other is
part of the communication process.
Hall reports that psychologists have identified four zones of interaction for Ameri-
cans: the intimate zone, the personal zone, the casual zone, and the public zone.
Intimate distance: This zone ranges from skin contact to about 18 inches (46 cm)
and is typically reserved for close relationships or situations requiring a high level of
intimacy, such as hugging or whispering.
Personal distance: Ranging from about 1.5 to 4 feet (46 cm to 1.2 meters), this
zone is appropriate for conversations with friends and acquaintances. It can be used for
casual social interactions, such as talking with colleagues or engaging in small group

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