The use and management of personal space, including how close people stand or sit.
A colleague steps back a pace when a conversation moves to an uncomfortable subject. The small retreat opens a little protective distance just as the topic begins to press.
Moving closer can signal comfort and trust, while drawing back can signal discomfort or a wish for distance. Watch the moment the gap changes, since it often tracks the rise and fall of ease.
Comfortable distance varies sharply across cultures, so judge against local norms. A spacing that feels warm in one country can feel intrusive or cold in another.
The normal, relaxed manner of a person when they are calm and unpressured.
ExploreInterpreting several cues together rather than resting a conclusion on a single gesture.
ExploreThe influence of the surrounding setting on how a behaviour should be understood.
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