I found the theories of proxemics and chronemics to be interesting. In short, proxemics is associated with proximity, or space, while chronemics is associated with time. In American culture, I think our personal space is something we guard dearly, and punctuation is important in most things, whether its work or school or due dates. I think in other cultures, space especially is different. I know that I have worked with a lot of people who seem to invade my personal space, and they do it as if it brings me closer to them on a mental level as well, like if they are telling me something personal or happy with something I did, they want to get really close to me, especially my face. I think the idea of "one on one" is important in other cultures as indicated by this. On the graph of tables, I find this interesting because I work in a restaurant and you can tell a lot about people by how they sit at the table. When you have a couple, closer, happier couples like to sit kitty-corner, as in the "cooperative (conversation)" graphic. When couples sit across from each other they seem a little less talkative and less serious. A teacher once told me that when you go on a date you need to sit across from them to look them in the eye.. This seems a little contradictory to what we are learning, but it makes sense since on a date you probably want to challenge the person mentally.
As for time, the book made the best example of people in power being a little less adhering to a set schedule. My mom's boss seems like he is always on vacation, or coming in whenever he feels like it. My mom is high up too and I know she can take off whenever she needs to and go in late if she feels like it. She doesn't need to keep track of sick days and such like lower level employees. Must be nice!
I also have a boss who has no concept of time, and how important it is to the rest of us. My boss will lock our safe at work, and when we call to get the money for the work day he will say something like "oh OK I will make it around there in about 1-2 hours". And this trickles over to our customers that have to wait or come back if they want to pay with cash that needs change given back. I think this must also be nice! I also notice that different cultures have ideas of Proxemics and we may not always be prepared for the difference. For example I had a burn on my forehead from a curling iron last week that I had done a pretty good job at covering with my hair until Thursday when one of my student's parents came up to me and held my chin with their thumb and index finger like a parent would and twisted my head back and forth asking me "Oh my gosh! What on Earth did you do to your face?!" Not only was the forward nature of this comment odd, but the fact that the parent touched and manipulated my body without warning was shocking. Not that I would have reacted any different had it been a close friend or family member I simply shied back and said "umm hair-tastrpohe" which eliminated my discomfort and did not create unnecessary disrespect to the concerned parent.
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