Personal Space: How Close is Too Close?

Summary

This video explores the concept of personal space in public settings, with a focus on the unwritten rules that dictate how close is too close when interacting with strangers. Conducting social experiments in various crowded spaces, such as elevators and buses, the video reveals people's reactions to having their personal space invaded. It also examines how different environments, from confined spaces like elevators to open areas like parks, influence these reactions. The findings suggest that while most people value their personal space, they may be more accommodating in certain situations, highlighting the complex nature of social boundaries.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Earth's surface is vast, but with over seven billion people, personal space can feel limited.
• 🚶‍♂️ Etiquette experts suggest maintaining a personal space of two feet (24 inches) in public places.
• 🤔 People have varying comfort levels when it comes to personal space, with some feeling uncomfortable when others are too close.
• 🛗 In elevators, there are unwritten rules about personal space, such as finding the least crowded spot and keeping a distance.
• 🏃‍♂️ When personal space is invaded in elevators, some people react by stepping away or even jumping, while others remain firm.
• 🚌 On buses, it's expected to choose an open seat away from other riders, respecting personal space.
• 🗣️ A hidden camera experiment on a bus showed that people generally prefer not to sit next to someone who invades their personal space.
• 🏞️ In open spaces like parks, people are less likely to move when their personal space is approached, compared to confined spaces.
• 🤝 Some individuals are open to engaging in conversation even when personal space is compromised, valuing pleasant company over personal space.
• 🤔 The experiment revealed that people's reactions to personal space invasion vary greatly depending on the setting and their personal preferences.

Q & A

What is the average recommended distance for personal space in public places according to etiquette experts?

Etiquette experts suggest maintaining a distance of two feet or 24 inches between individuals in public places.

What did Taryn Winter Brill do to test the boundaries of personal space?

Taryn Winter Brill conducted an experiment by standing or sitting very close to strangers in various public settings to observe their reactions.

How did people generally react when someone invaded their personal space in the script?

Most people reacted by stepping away or moving to another location when their personal space was invaded.

What was the reaction of the woman in the elevator when Taryn stood very close to her?

The woman in the elevator did not budge when Taryn stood close to her, indicating that some people choose to assert their space rather than move away.

What is the unwritten rule of elevator etiquette mentioned in the script?

The unwritten rules of elevator etiquette include finding the least crowded spot, keeping your eyes forward, and not talking.

How long does the average elevator ride last according to the script?

The average elevator ride lasts just 30 seconds.

What was the general recommendation for dealing with someone who gets too close in public?

The general recommendation is to maintain distance and not get too close to people you don't know.

What did the social experiment reveal about people's behavior in confined spaces?

The social experiment revealed that people are more likely to protect their personal space in confined spaces like elevators compared to open spaces.

How did the reactions differ when the experiment was conducted in a park versus an elevator?

In the park, people rarely moved when approached closely, whereas in the elevator, they were more likely to react defensively or move away.

What was the unexpected outcome when Taryn sat next to a stranger on a bus?

One unexpected outcome was that some people, like the woman on the bus, engaged in conversation despite the close proximity, suggesting that personal space can be flexible depending on the situation.