NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION-PROXEMICS

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION-PROXEMICS

The study of how people recognize and value the physical spaces around them is known as
language of distance or proxemics. Language of distance takes into account body spacing
between two individual .The physical distance between two people can be correlated to the
relationship they share be it personal or social. These are of four types:

1. Intimate Zone: Distance shared by Spouses, children, parents, very close
relatives and friends. It ranges from 15-46 cm.

2. Personal Zone: Distance between individuals during business gatherings,
social functions and get-togethers. It ranges from 1.2- 3.6m.

3. Social Zone: Distance shared by strangers or occasional visitors. It ranges over
3.6m.

4. Public Zone: Distance shared between speaker and Audience. It ranges from 15-46 cm.
Language of distance teaches us to first determine what the relationship between us and other person is and accordingly we should manage the distance. For example when talking to your customer you should know that you are in public zone and should not enter in intimate zone.