Every culture has their own comfort level with personal space. Americans tend to prefer much more room to maneuver than almost any other people. As such, many Yanks find themselves uncomfortable when they travel to Asia and Latin America, where the cultural norms involve people sharing close quarters with little anxiety.
When you travel, don’t expect everyone else to adjust to you. You’ll have to squeeze into a subway car in Tokyo. You’ll need to share a seat with three other passengers on a bus in Quito. And you’ll have to navigate a souk with thousands of other people in Marrakech. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the action that is all around you.
Did you know that the study of personal space is called proxemics? Read more about it here or visit your local library.
