Just Give Me My S-P-A-C-E, Thanks!

     It is true, that 'Good fences make good neighbors'; For, it is imperative, in any relationship, to respect boundaries. Personal boundaries are guidelines, rules or limits, that a person creates to identify for themselves what are reasonable, safe and permissible ways for other people to behave around him or her and how they will respond when someone steps outside those limits. They are built out of a mix of beliefs, opinions, attitudes, past experiences and social learning. There is, also, the consideration of 'personal-space', which, each, human-being, defines for him or herself. Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs. Most people value their personal space and feel discomfort, anger, or anxiety when their personal space is encroached upon. Permitting a person to enter personal space and entering somebody else's personal space are indicators of perception of the relationship between the people. There is an intimate zone reserved for lovers, children and close family members. There is another zone used for conversations with friends, to chat with associates, and in group discussions; a further zone is reserved for strangers, newly formed groups, and new acquaintances; and a fourth zone is used for speeches, lectures, and theater; essentially, public distance is that range reserved for larger audiences. Entering somebody's personal space is normally an indication of familiarity and at times of intimacy. However, in modern society, especially in crowded urban communities, it is at times difficult to maintain personal space, for example, in a crowded train, elevator or street. Many people find such physical proximity to be psychologically disturbing and uncomfortable, though it is accepted as a fact of modern life. In an impersonal crowded situation, eye contact tends to be avoided. Even in a crowded place, preserving personal space is important, and intimate and sexual contact, such as frotteurism and groping, are normally unacceptable physical contact. In addition, individuals, whether or not this is given active thought, engage in 'Interpersonal-space' parameters, as well. Interpersonal space is the psychological "bubble" that exists when one person stands too close to another. Research has revealed that there are four different zones of interpersonal space:
Intimate distance ranges from touching to about 18 inches (46 cm) apart, and is reserved for lovers, children, close family members, friends, and pet animals.
Personal distance begins about an arm's length away; starting around 18 inches (46 cm) from the person and ending about 4 feet (122 cm) away. This space is used in conversations with friends, to chat with associates, and in group discussions.
Social distance ranges from 4 to 8 feet (1.2 m - 2.4 m) away from the person and is reserved for strangers, newly formed groups, and new acquaintances.
Public distance includes anything more than 8 feet (2.4 m) away, and is used for speeches, lectures, and theater. Public distance is essentially that range reserved for larger audiences. I'm sure that we've, all, at one time or another, encountered a person who seems to 'know' no boundaries, their own, or, those of others, insofar as respecting the idea that they, even, exist. It can be a bit, unsettling, to have a complete, stranger 'all up in one's face', and, contrarily, it can be distressing, as it is to me, that some folks are SO guarded, as to be unable to return a friendly, 'hello', when offered one. The bottom line is that we're all creatures who desire our, own, 'space', and, some, more than others. It's one thing to build a 'fence' around one's 'personal-property', quite, another, to build a fortress. I feel that if we understand what it is we would prefer from others, with respect to 'respect', and, employ those same sets of standards, in relationship to them, then, it will be less likely that we'll 'cross the line' within those relationships. Just Sayin'...