Page 112 - 633 102 Professional English for Pharmacists E-Course book

If they are feeling that you are violating their space, especially the western culture, if you
get too close to them, they may feel a little bit defensive, they don’t want you to get near.

o Their actions may well be open to misinterpretation

And they may have some actions that you are trying to join them, then you are harassing
them. They don’t feel safe, especially they are the opposite sex.

o Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics), which determines the level of intimacy
o In Western society, 4 distances have been defined according to the relationship
between the people involved:

So, how close can you be?

o Intimate Distance (touching to 45 cm)

What is intimate distance? Intimate means very close, like you and your girlfriend, that
means you are close enough to talk heartily with your heart. They can hear your heartbeat. That
is an intimate relationship, in between lovers, between mom and dad, between someone you
really love.

o Personal Distance (45 cm to 1.2 m)

What about personal that can be a little bit farther away from you, but they are close
enough. Maybe your friends, teachers, and advisors.

o Social Distance (1.2 m to 3.6 m)
Most of the time, it is you and your patient.

o Public Distance (3.7m to 4.5 m)

That would be when you are teaching, when you are presenting in a big crowd at the
conference. That we call public distance. So, be careful that you are not too close to them, and
they would not feel good when you invade.

o Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics),
o Facial Expressions:
• Smiling, frowning and even blinking; Judgmental feelings

What about facial expressions? The way Thai people, we love to smile, we enjoy.
Thailand is a land of smiles. What’s wrong? Well, sometimes they call “Why are you
smiling? Are you crazy? Are you trying to mock, laugh at me?” So, be careful, some people
understand that Thai people have nice hospitality and smile, even though we make
mistakes, we smile for some people but foreigners don’t play with you.

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