Personal Space: How Close is Too Close?

How close is too close
when a person stands or sits next to you

and you've never even met him
or her before?

We are not friends.
Please get away from me.

We all have our limits and Early Show
Special Contributor Taryn Winter Brill

went on a mission to test the boundaries
of personal space.

(Taryn) With a liveble surface area
of nearly 12 million square miles,

but a population
of more than 7 billion people,

planet Earth gets pretty crowded.

And over the course of an average day,
we've all had those moments

where you just need
a little more elbow room.

So, what are the rules
of personal space in public places?

Etiquette experts suggest
that human beings should keep

two feet of space,
or 24 inches between them.

- Does this feel comfortable to you?
- Yeah. It's good.

This is what you're used to?

Yeah, I don't like it
when people are too close to me.

Too close is when they're like
just a couple of inches--

- This is too close?
- Too close.

- Is this too close?
- No.

- Is this too close?
- That's close enough.

(Taryn) Now, most of us know
the unwritten rules

of elevator etiquette.

Find the least crowded spot,
keep your eyes forward,

and your mouth shut.

But what happens
when you break those rules?

We took over this elevator
security camera to find out.

Despite plenty of room,
I moved uncomfortably close

to other riders.

Most simply stepped away.

This guy even jumped.

But several decided to hold their ground.

I went toe to toe with this woman,
and she wouldn't budge.

And this woman who stayed pressed
against the back of the elevator

may have remained calm,
but she felt something very different.

(woman) I had a moment
when I was kind of wanting to push you

or shove you or punch you or yell at you.

(Taryn) I'm glad you didn't, thank you.

(Taryn) Lucky for me,
the average elevator ride

lasts just 30 seconds.

Next stop, the bus,
where you're expected to choose

an open seat away from other riders.

We boarded this one
with a hidden camera on a quiet day.

There were plenty of empty seats,

but I preferred to try
people's patience instead.

Can I get in here, please?

- Where? Here?
- (Taryn) Yeah.

- Why here?
- (Taryn) I'm sorry?

Why don't you sit there?

(Taryn) This woman was kind enough
to point out the very obvious

available seat right in front of her.

While this guy made no objection
to my sitting next to him.

Though he did get off
at the very next stop.

So, what's your general recommendation
when it comes to personal space?

Excuse me, Miss?

(Taryn) Nearly everyone we met
seemed to agree on how to cope

with someone who gets a little too close.

Don't get too close
to people you don't know.

Probably step back.

Keep your distance.

(Taryn) But our unscientific
social experiment

revealed something more.

When confined to small spaces,
like in the elevator,

people were more prone
to protect their territory.

While those we approached
in wide open spaces,

like at this park, rarely moved at all.

And this woman even struck up
a conversation.

- How you doing?
- Hi.

(Taryn) Because sometimes,
it's worth giving up

a little personal space
for pleasant company.