Proxemics, Pre and Post Covid

 Defining Proxemics

    Proxemics is the study of personal space and the level of separation that people maintain between one another in social situations. Essentially its the comfort level between individuals depending on relationship, environment, and safety. This proxemics are usually explained through invisible bubbles representing boundaries. There are four general proxemics: intimate, personal, social, and public. The intimate proxemic is within 1.5 feet, usually entered by people emotionally close to one another. The personal proxemic is between 1.5 to 4 feet and is usually entered be good friends and family, people that are fully comfortable around one another. The social space proxemic is between 4 and 12 feet and is mainly represented by people not fully comfortable with each other. The public space proxemics are 12 feet or more and is represented by a big group.

Space Sketch / Anthony Helwig

Proxemics Before and After Covid 

    The affects of covid dramatically changed the proxemics of the world. It made people become more self aware and also raised everyone's guard. Covid-19 forced people to social distance and wear mask in public. It caused many places to shut down or cancel their plans, such as school, sports, and country borders. It caused places like Walmart to go from open 24 hours to closing early. It also caused many businesses to change to non-contact exchanges. Nowadays many practices from the pandemic are still used, and most of them are beneficial.

    Before Covid-19, their wasn't a fear of getting sick while being out in public making places more crowded but also more social. Places were allowed to use its full capacity as their was no need to space everyone out. Many businesses were first come first serve instead of appointments. Commercial designs typically had less privacy and encouraged engagement with one another. People weren't as aware of their proxemics and boundaries weren't as honored.

Pre-Covid Movie Theater
(Jim Munroe/2012)

After Covid it took many a while to get back to their pre-covid lifestyles. The main change is the technology advance from pre to post covid. Being forced to do things online and using less paper has changed how many school and work. Businesses also have found more efficient ways to help customers and online shopping is as popular as ever. 

Movies During Covid
(Brooks Barnes/2023)

Summary

    The effects covid had on the world's proxemics were major changes to what most were used to. It made people more aware of their personal space. Even though living through the pandemic was a struggle and altered many peoples lives tremendously, it also had lasting positive effects such as more public privacy and technological advances. The common distance during covid as 6ft, meaning everyone must stay at least 6 feet away from each other at all times. With that being the case, it caused the hidden bubble of someone's personal space to expand. This changed the proxemics of many people and it is still in effect even years after covid.

References

• Proxemics. Proxemics - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/proxemics 

• Full house for ghosts world premiere. Jim Munroe. (2012, May 8). https://jimmunroe.net/vidz/full-house-for-ghosts-london-world-premiere.html

•  Barnes, B. (2023, March 5). Heads up: A better movie seat may cost you. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/business/media/movie-theaters-ticket-prices.html