Personal Space

So, I have had various experiences with a lot of different ethnicities that do the thing where they kiss on both cheeks as a greeting. I just cannot get used to it. It is always awkward and slightly embarrassing for me. I think I have a fear deep down that I'm going to miss and somehow end up kissing them on the lips. Americans shake hands. If you really know someone, it's okay to hug. Kissing is reserved for only your closest family. The bigger issue behind this kissing thing is personal space. Personal space is a value that is American to the core. Most other countries do not have this concept. One of my room mates during college had some friends from Sweden visit the U.S. for the first time. When we asked them what was different about the U.S., they said that "everything is bigger." At first I thought they were making a jab at our obesity rate, but when I followed up and asked what they meant, they said: Streets are bigger, curbs are higher, cars are bigger. (They politely didn't mention the huge portions we serve at restaurants.)

We like things big because we like our own space. Our children have their own bedrooms or at least their own beds. The bigger the house you can afford, the better regardless of whether you actually use the space. When you go to a movie, you only sit next to someone if there is no other option. Otherwise, you politely place a seat of border space in between yourself and any stranger. I have a thing where I don't like anyone to breathe in my space. I can't sleep face to face in close proximity with anyone. It feels like the air has already been used. I blame American culture for my weirdness. (Sometimes David will torture me by pinning my arms and just breathing out near my face....makes me crazy.) People hate flying on planes because you only have a tiny seat's worth of space. How else have you seen our American value of personal space manifest itself?