Proxemics is the concept involving the space we use in order to communicate. Closely related to another term involving your personal space and the space you put between you and another person. The proximity to another item or individual plays a huge roll in small group communication. The closeness between you and another person can be identified by body language and position.
Chronemics is directly related to time management. How a group or individual responds within a given time. Groups with deadlines and successful organization rely on time to complete different tasks. Not everyone is good with time, therefore, not everyone could be successful in a group stressing chronemics.
I feel some universal rules in different cultures are the same and also very different. Especially when dealing with proxemics. In America I feel we have a good sense of personal space and we do not invade the space of others we are not close with. In Europe or Asia that does not seem to be the case, space is limited and you may be standing ridiculously close to someone you don't even know. On the subject of chronemics there is always the occasional slacker or individual who doesn't appear to own a watch and everything is on their own schedule. Those indidviduals exist in every culture though.
I have a few best friends where our proxemics don't exist, we are so close in every way possible I don't even notice the actual space between us. For chronemics, I enjoy my own personal space especially with people I don't know that well or at all. I have been to Europe and it seemed chronemics wasn't practiced, everyone was close to everyone and it worked, there's something about being there, it's like everyone enjoys everyone.
Hello Phoenix,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post that Americans love their personal space. Personal space allows us to concentrate and get work done. In addition, we learn to work as individuals and become great leaders. However, in Europe they do not have space, so they are closer within the country. The cars are smaller and the buildings are attached to each other. Moreover, the events in Europe are more organized than the United States. Especially music artist that visit different countries for tours, they love to visit Europe since they have more people attending their events than the United States. As you stated, “everyone enjoys everyone” - it’s the PLUR (peace, love, unity and respect) that connects people together as one.