When communicating, it is important to be friendly, polite and able to make eye contact. However, the right distance also affects the flow of the conversation and can create a positive impression of you.

If you follow the rules of etiquette, you can ensure a comfortable and cosy atmosphere during communication. Science of People found out how much distance you should keep when talking to a person.

Professor Edward Hall has identified four distances that regulate communication between people.

Intimate distance - up to 50 cm

A person's touching of the other person is a close intimate distance, and a distance of 50 centimetres is a distant intimate distance. In business, this behaviour occurs during handshakes, greetings and farewells. During negotiations, it is recommended to keep a distance of at least 50 centimetres.

Personal distance - from 60 cm to 1.20 m

It is believed that the ideal distance for business communication is from 60 cm to 120 cm. This distance is best used during negotiations to reach agreements without feeling awkward.

Social distance - from 1.2 m to 2.5 m

This distance is recommended when you are meeting with strangers. For example, a director may choose this distance when communicating with a subordinate. This allows you to make short-term contact without interrupting your work.

Public distance - from 3.5 to 7.5 m

This distance is often used by actors and politicians to allow others to do their work. This distance also allows you to skilfully deceive your interlocutor.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL published the rules of etiquette that are often violated by employees in the office.

Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL's Telegram, Viber and Threads channels to keep up with the latest developments.