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The Ultimate Body Language Book

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An arm is extended to indicate that personal space is being violated and protect a personal space<br />

bubble.<br />

Our personal space, the area next to our bodies, which we protect against intrusion, has been referred to<br />

as a “bubble”, since it encircles us, but it more closely resembles a cylinder. <strong>The</strong> cylinder encompasses<br />

our entire bodies, from our feet to our head. It is this cylinder that we protect rigorously, and when it is<br />

violated we tense up or back away so as to reduce or prevent additional overlap from the cylinders of<br />

others. Our personal space isn’t totally fixed either. It is constantly expanding and contracting<br />

depending on our environment and company. For example, we permit children, pets, and inanimate<br />

objects into our personal space regularly because we do not perceive them as a threat, but other adults<br />

must earn our trust before entering. Our personal space tolerances are directly related to the strength of<br />

our relationship.

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