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Out of context: Reply #17

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  • Beeswax0

    When I first went to the US to study they gave us an orientation at the school. During that, they told us that there's something called "personal space" in the US. It's like an invisible protection shield. I didn't understand it first, like when people say "excuse me" in a market aisle while they are 10 feet away from me and there's plenty of space around me to pass without touching or rubbing. Anyways, after many years in the US, I learned what that is and I also created my own personal space around me where no one could enter without my permission. Then I moved back to my country, Turkey.
    I'm waiting in a line, the guy behind me is so close that I feel his breathing on my neck, I'm standing in a public bus, the women next to me keeps getting closer and closer until her feet touches my feet, I'm withdrawing money from an atm and the guy behind me is not behind me but he's almost next to me and watching the atm's screen. I'm seriously exasperated and next time I'm afraid I'll physically hurt someone.

    • I don't think scurvy is contagious, but don't quote me.canoe
    • This is fascinating. I've never thought about varying amounts of personal space in cultures.CanHasQBN
    • Pity the US doesn't remember the concept of personal space militarily.see_thru

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