When you first meet someone, perhaps for a little flirting, be wary of personal space. Get too close too soon and they’ll be uncomfortable, but keep your distance and you may miss out!
Dating tips and dating ideas for fun, enjoyable and successful dating. Photo: Muramasa
Different people have different tolerances regarding personal space. People in northern Europe tend to be less happy with close approaches than those from Mediterranean countries, for example. You will also find that the same person will be less amenable to a close approach when they are feeling low than when they are happy.
When you approach a person (after having first established some interest) you will enter the “Personal Zone” of their space when you are approximately 4 feet from them. Try and make eye contact with them again at this point before you move any further.
If the response to your eye contact is positive you can move in to about arms length. Don’t more much closer than this, or the other person may get uncomfortable! Remember that the intimate zone (18 inches or less) is reserved for lovers, very close friends or family.
Bear in mind that distance is especially important when you are facing each other because it is more difficult for the other to reduce involvement by turning away or reducing eye contact than it would be if you were side by side. If you see barrier signals such as trying to move away, crossing arms or legs, scratching the neck with the elbow pointed towards you then you have got to close – back off a little.
Finally, letting the other person move towards you during your flirting can tell you a lot about how comfortable they are with you.
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