Personal Space: How Close is Too Close?

CBS

28 Oct 201002:56

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

😅 Personal Space Boundaries

The script explores the concept of personal space, particularly in public places. It mentions that people generally prefer to maintain a distance of two feet or 24 inches from others who are not known to them. The script discusses the unwritten rules of personal space and how people react when these boundaries are violated. It also highlights the differences in behavior when people are in confined spaces like elevators versus open spaces like parks, noting that individuals are more protective of their personal space in smaller areas.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Personal Space

Personal space refers to the physical distance that individuals feel comfortable maintaining between themselves and others. In the video, the concept is explored through various social experiments, highlighting how people react when their personal space is invaded. For instance, when the reporter moves too close to strangers in an elevator, it triggers discomfort and avoidance behaviors, demonstrating the importance of respecting personal space in public.

💡Etiquette

Etiquette encompasses the customary code of polite behavior in society. The video mentions etiquette experts suggesting a standard of two feet (24 inches) as a comfortable personal space in public places. This recommendation is part of the social norms that dictate how people should interact in public spaces, reflecting the unwritten rules that govern our daily interactions.

💡Elevator Etiquette

Elevator etiquette is a subset of social etiquette that pertains to the behavior expected when using elevators. The video describes common practices such as finding the least crowded spot and avoiding conversation. A key example is when the reporter intentionally violates these norms by standing too close to others, leading to reactions like stepping away or even jumping, which underscores the significance of adhering to these unspoken rules.

💡Territory

In the context of the video, 'territory' refers to the area that individuals claim as their own in a shared space. This is particularly evident in the elevator experiment where people are more likely to defend their personal space, suggesting a heightened sense of territoriality in confined areas. The video contrasts this with open spaces like parks, where people are less likely to move, indicating a more relaxed approach to personal space.

💡Social Experiment

A social experiment is a research technique used to study social behavior by creating controlled scenarios. The video conducts unscientific social experiments to observe how people react to having their personal space invaded. These experiments are designed to test the boundaries of personal space and to understand the dynamics of social interactions in public spaces.

💡Unwritten Rules

Unwritten rules are social norms or guidelines that are not formally codified but are widely understood and followed. The video discusses the unwritten rules of personal space, such as maintaining a certain distance from strangers. These rules are often taken for granted and are a part of the implicit understanding that facilitates smooth social interactions.

💡Public Places

Public places are areas that are open to the general public and are the focus of the video's exploration of personal space. The script mentions various public spaces like elevators, buses, and parks, where the experiments take place. These locations serve as the backdrop for examining how people's behavior changes in response to the proximity of others.

💡Confined Spaces

Confined spaces, as discussed in the video, are areas with limited room for movement, such as elevators. The video notes that people are more likely to protect their personal space in confined spaces, indicating a heightened awareness of proximity and personal boundaries. This is exemplified by the stronger reactions to the reporter's closeness in the elevator compared to open spaces.

💡Open Spaces

Open spaces are areas with ample room for movement and are contrasted with confined spaces in the video. The script describes how people in open spaces, like parks, are less likely to move when someone sits or stands close to them. This suggests a more relaxed attitude towards personal space in less crowded environments.

💡Proximity

Proximity refers to the nearness in space between objects or individuals. In the video, the concept of proximity is central to the theme of personal space. The experiments conducted test people's reactions to varying degrees of proximity, revealing that individuals have different tolerance levels for how close others can be before it feels intrusive.

💡Uncomfortable

Uncomfortable is a feeling of unease or distress, often caused by a situation that is awkward or challenging. The video uses the term to describe the reactions of individuals when their personal space is violated. For example, when the reporter stands too close to people in an elevator, it makes them feel uncomfortable, leading them to step away or express a desire to push or shove.

Highlights

The concept of personal space varies, and people have different comfort levels when it comes to proximity to strangers.

Taryn Winter Brill investigates the boundaries of personal space in public places.

Etiquette experts recommend maintaining a distance of two feet or 24 inches between individuals.

People generally feel uncomfortable when strangers are too close, indicating a need for personal space.

Unwritten rules of personal space in public places, such as elevators, are explored.

A hidden camera experiment in an elevator shows people's reactions to close proximity.

Most people tend to step away when someone invades their personal space in an elevator.

Some individuals choose to assert their personal space and do not step away when crowded.

The experiment reveals that people are more likely to protect their space in confined areas like elevators.

In contrast, people in open spaces like parks are less likely to move when someone approaches.

The social experiment suggests that personal space preferences can be influenced by the environment.

Some individuals are open to engaging in conversation even when personal space is invaded.

The importance of personal space is emphasized, but so is the willingness to compromise for pleasant company.

The study highlights the subjective nature of personal space and the role of individual comfort levels.

The experiment shows that reactions to personal space invasion can vary widely among individuals.

The transcript concludes by suggesting that sometimes personal space can be sacrificed for positive social interactions.