Let’s talk about zones. Not getting in the zone. I’ll blog on that at a later date. No, this time I mean the distances between people. We each have 4 zones of space that we maintain between us. The first zone is the public zone, and it’s 12 feet or more. Stuff that happens in that zone we tend not to take personally and thus it’s not very interesting to us. Between 12 feet and 4 feet is the social zone. That’s more interesting, and it’s the distance at which we make cocktail party chatter and check out potential dates and that sort of thing. Warmer than public space, but still cool.
From 4 feet to 1.5 feet is personal space. Here’s where it gets interesting. As soon as you’re in my personal space, I’m paying close attention. You might be dangerous, so I’ll keep a close eye on you. You might even be friendly, in which case I can be more or less open depending on how friendly I want to be in return.
From 1.5 feet to 0 is intimate space. In this zone, we’re both committed. If we’re talking about public speaking — any public occasion, really — don’t go here. Both parties will feel very uncomfortable. It’s why Americans and English travelers feel so awkward in Asia and some parts of the Mediterranean. Cultures there still have the 4 zones, but they’re compressed. So someone else’s personal space feels like my intimate space.
Back to public speaking. Use the 4 zones wisely and you can greatly increase your zip as a presenter. People today are information-overloaded and it’s hard to get their attention. So you need to get in their personal space if you’re really going to grab them (intellectually). Not their intimate space, their personal space. Then, you and the other person will feel like you’re having a conversation, which is the norm for paying attention in our casual modern culture.
Use the 4 zones, but especially the personal one, for great public speaking.
in the future, when the world is overpopulated, do you think that the zones of asians and certain mediterranean cultures will be reduced by the same proportion as ours, or will they cease to decrease their zone lengths after some point?…i guess there are some biological limits here…
just kidding. what would be your advice for someone working the room with a multi-cultural make-up?
Working a room with a variety of cultures represented is tricky stuff. To be truly multi-cultural means to be able to address each person in his or her own language. That means paying attention to non-verbal as well as verbal issues. You should try to learn the basics of each culture you’re going to be dealing with. People generally are tolerant in those situations and appreciate even the simplest attempt to show that you know something about the language (and culture). It’s a sign of respect that is much valued. Don’t worry if you’re not perfect at it. It’s better to try than just to barrel along in your own cultural way and risk offending everyone else because you made no effort.