The distance and space with which you place between yourself and others is dependent upon culture and situation. In some cultures, the expectation is that you stand close enough to smell someone’s breath; whereas, in other cultures, that close proximity can feel uncomfortable, imposing, intimidating, or even borderline harassing. In addition, your judgment of space and distance should differentiate whether you are standing in front of a large room, around a boardroom table, or behind a laptop or computer for a video conference. Here are some general principles around the best practices for distance and space:

• If you are more than a restaurant table’s length away, you may be unfriendly.
• If you are close enough to touch, be wary of being perceived as pushy.
• Deference is shown to high status people by keeping greater distance.
• Acceptable communication distances are culturally based.
• High status people tend to be given more personal space.