Free Spanish Lesson #15 – Get a Little Closer!

Personal space may be something that you have not thought about very much, but if you are going to travel in Latin America you need to know it exists.

I’m not sure how it is in other parts of the world, (those of you from England, Australia, and so forth, can inform me) but in the U.S. when people talk to each other at social gatherings they probably stand three to four feet apart.

In Latin America it is very different. People generally stand closer together when they talk to each other. This is true for both men and women, and the fact that they do this has no hidden or implied meaning at all. They simply stand closer together when they talk.

This took a little getting used to when I first went to live in Latin America. The first time it happened, I was standing by someone talking to them and they stood very close to me.

I felt a little uncomfortable like they were invading my personal space. I took a step backwards and after a few seconds, they unconsciously took a step towards me. After a minute or so of discomfort, I again casually took a step backwards, and they eventually took another step towards me.

I thought the person was either trying to send me a subtle message or was just a little bit different. I didn’t realize that “personal space” was a cultural thing.

The first month or two that I lived in Latin America, the fact that people would stand so close to me when they talked to me drove me crazy, but then I gradually got used to it. Now, the personal space issue doesn’t bother me at all because I am accustomed to it.

I wanted you to know this exists so if you travel to Latin America, for business or pleasure, and the person you are talking to stands closer to you than normal, you will realize that they aren’t trying to send you any subtle messages, they simply stand closer together when they talk.

¡Qué le vaya bien! (May everything go well for you!)

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Written by Dave Clark with Try a Free Spanish Lessons

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.