Week 7 D2

Proxemics is “the study of how people use space to communicate”(103). Our proximity to others is important in communication.  The book mentions the way we sit in relation to others came be communicated in different ways. One might think that sitting close to others would mean that your trying to make new friends or join a group.  However it could also be seen as invading personal space of a group. Chronemics is “the study of the use of time”(105).   The book says that, “Western cultures are particularly oriented towards clock-based time as an organizing principle in the work world.”  Time deadlines are big with work and school. However in a different setting like hanging out with friends, it can be okay to be a little late, nothing bad will come from it.  As for universal rules for these concepts for all cultures, I don’t think there is one. Each culture differs with personal space and use of time.  One culture might be sticker for their use of time and find it more unacceptable then another for being late to dinner.  Also a culture might think of a dinner as a 4hr thing where you come early to socialize and then stay late and it is rude to leave early.