Proxemics is “the study of how we use space to communicate.” This means how close our personal, social and world space is can determine how open a person is. The way we use space can hint to how we feel about one and other. For example if there are few people in a room, yet we choose to stand far away from the rest of the people, it may suggest that we don’t like the people as much. Same goes for standing in close proximity to another. That may suggest a close relationship or personal attraction to each other. An example of how another culture uses this is the Italians. We (yes I am Italian) love to hug, kiss and hold onto the people that are close to use long when we first greet. When I go to see family members, we kiss, touch and show great affection and keep each other in close distance. The universal culture I would say is respect his or her own set proxemics. Everyone has a limit to what is too close or what is just right.
Chronemics is “the study of the use of time.” This means it is how we value time in regards to communication. The book talks about how western cultures value time as money and that’s a great example. Time wasted is time that could have been used making tons of money with another group that values the word time. You can use this in caparison to sports teams. Every second of the game counts and could have been points scored. Waste of the time is not okay because it has a large impact on how the outcome is going to turn.
You make some excellent points here, especially about proxemics. I think it's funny that you used your example of Italian hertiage. In my culture too (Armenian) there is a lot of hugs and kisses and we have what's called "Armenian goodbyes" which is where everyone hugs and kisses each other and starts new conversations - when people are trying to leave! You are very right about people at parties too, or in any room for that matter. If you sit away from the group people assume you do not want to be bothered. It's interesting how these develop in class rooms as well. We don't have assigned seating in college but most of the time people end up sitting in the same spots. Sometimes it is by default if you get there late, but usually throughout the semester you see the same person in the same spot.
ReplyDeleteChronemics is another important aspect too. You're right - in sports, every second counts. If you are wasting time you are wasting opportunity. I think in American culture and especially when people our age are busy with school and work and extra curricular activities we value time so much, and it's almost laid out for us. In other cultures I suppose it might not be like that, or they value free time or down time a little more than we do here.
Great job!
ReplyDeleteProxemics like you said is “the study of how we use space to communicate”. It is an Idea I never really thought about it but does communicate important things. The example that you used with the room and how people standing a certain distance away can tell you whether if they like them or not. This is a great example and illustrates the idea proxemics. Chronemics is “the study of the use of time”. The example about the sports team and how every second of the game is time that you can score points. This was another solid example for the term Chronemics.
I really enjoyed your post about proxemics. I found your examples interesting to read. I remember when I moved to Spain to study abroad everyone when they greet you gives you two kisses and at first I was so taken back but by the time I left I felt it was totally normal. It is completely different in other cultures how you are to greet one another or even the distance when you are talking to someone. Also I live in an International House and get the opportunity to experience different cultures customs and find it to be so interesting especially when I can relate it back to our concepts. Anyways enjoyed your post! cheers
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