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.