In China, it’s perfectly normal to wait in line, just like in the U.S. or U.K. People queue up at the train station, for example, before stepping through the scanner. They wait, stand single-file, and take turns. Everything is basically the same — closer to American expectations than, say, Paris, where lines can feel unruly — except that people are standing much closer to each other. It’s routine in China for crowds of people to touch shoulders, bump arms, or press chests against backs. This is especially common on mass transit, where passengers are packed into small spaces. Such crushes of humanity often seem unavoidable in megacities like Beijing (population 22.6 million) or Shanghai (24.8 million).
Yet the feeling persists in smaller Chinese communities as well; Westerners often feel claustrophobic in busy restaurants and crowded streets. Where Americans and Britons expect to stand at least arm’s length from each other, China has a culture of physical closeness. And this nation isn’t alone: The people of Russia, Spain, and Austria are all known for grouping closely together, even among strangers. Studies have found that, statistically, Argentineans require the least personal space and can comfortably stand about 2.5 feet from someone they don’t know (via HowStuffWorks). These are generalizations, of course, but for many visitors, the difference is palpable.
Yet sensitive travelers should also be aware of the opposite effect: A need for personal space may distance you from other people — and possibly hurt feelings. The same way this standing gesture quietly offends people from Tokyo to Paris, standing too far from others in a culture that expects closeness may broadcast coldness, aloofness, or arrogance. If you want to fit in, you may want to get a little closer.
Getting physically closer to people in other cultures
Note that there’s nothing wrong with personal space; it’s just a preference, and there are plenty of exceptions to the cultural rule. In the U.S. and U.K., keeping people at arm’s length feels respectful and hygienic. Furthermore, these nations are by no means the most insistent on personal space; the HowStuffWorks study suggests that Romanians prefer a 4.5-foot buffer zone between themselves and strangers. Considering the social effects of COVID-19 and concerns about harassment and microaggressions, it’s understandable that people in the 2020s would want to give each other a wide berth.
That said, there’s the old adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and although it may feel uncomfortable at first, travelers may benefit from acclimating to close quarters. This may not register for passing tourists, who have limited investment in a place, but students and business travelers may connect more strongly with locals by closing the physical gap. This is just one of the ways you can cope with culture shock while abroad and possibly break the ice with new friends or colleagues.
