Cultural differences
When I travel abroad, I make every effort not to fall into the it's-wrong-because-that's-not-how-we-do-it mindset. I know a lot of my fellow Americans do fall into that trap, and that's one reason we have such a miserable reputation. So I try to appreciate the differences - even if they baffle and/or annoy the hell out of it.
One of the latter is the issue of personal space. In general, Americans prefer a larger area of personal space than Europeans. In Europe, especially on the continent, the personal zone is very small. I have no idea where this cultural difference originates. Is it because we come from such a big country? Or is it something else?
Whatever the reason, the result is if you're in Europe you end up with people standing or walking really close together and, here's the rub, close to you. This is a problem for me, because I like a big circle of personal space. And I like strangers to stay well out of it. Having it violated tests me to my last nerve. Last year, we were in a tiny shop in Edinburgh when some tourists from eastern Europe came into the store. The women shoved in and, despite there being enough space, hovered literally about three inches from me. I withstood it for about fifteen seconds before I was out the door. If Steve and I are walking down a European street, chances are someone is walking right on our heels. Needless to say, it's not long before I grab Steve and pull him off to the side so the people pass.
Lately, I've encountered a variation on the personal-space theme. When I ride the bus home in the afternoons, it's crowded. So more often than not, someone sits next to me. No big deal. It's the way it is on public transport. Back home, on a bus or on a subway, when seats open up, people sitting next to strangers move to them. We spread back out as soon as we are able. I've noticed that here, even when half the seats are empty, the people stay put until they reach their stops. They, like their fellow EUers on the continent, apparently have very tiny zones of personal space.
You know, I wonder if that's why the crowds at Disney get so packed sometimes. At least half of the visitors are from Europe. To them, being in a cluster is normal. To me, alas, it's just annoying. I guess this is one cultural divide I will simply be unable to cross.
One of the latter is the issue of personal space. In general, Americans prefer a larger area of personal space than Europeans. In Europe, especially on the continent, the personal zone is very small. I have no idea where this cultural difference originates. Is it because we come from such a big country? Or is it something else?
Whatever the reason, the result is if you're in Europe you end up with people standing or walking really close together and, here's the rub, close to you. This is a problem for me, because I like a big circle of personal space. And I like strangers to stay well out of it. Having it violated tests me to my last nerve. Last year, we were in a tiny shop in Edinburgh when some tourists from eastern Europe came into the store. The women shoved in and, despite there being enough space, hovered literally about three inches from me. I withstood it for about fifteen seconds before I was out the door. If Steve and I are walking down a European street, chances are someone is walking right on our heels. Needless to say, it's not long before I grab Steve and pull him off to the side so the people pass.
Lately, I've encountered a variation on the personal-space theme. When I ride the bus home in the afternoons, it's crowded. So more often than not, someone sits next to me. No big deal. It's the way it is on public transport. Back home, on a bus or on a subway, when seats open up, people sitting next to strangers move to them. We spread back out as soon as we are able. I've noticed that here, even when half the seats are empty, the people stay put until they reach their stops. They, like their fellow EUers on the continent, apparently have very tiny zones of personal space.
You know, I wonder if that's why the crowds at Disney get so packed sometimes. At least half of the visitors are from Europe. To them, being in a cluster is normal. To me, alas, it's just annoying. I guess this is one cultural divide I will simply be unable to cross.
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