Body contact and personal space in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

shows considerable similarities to that in northern and central European regions, such as Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, the Benelux, Scandinavia

Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...

 and the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. The main difference is, however, that Americans like to keep more open space in between themselves and their conversation partners (roughly 4 feet (1.2 m) compared to 2 to 3 ft (0.6096 to 0.9144 m) in Europe). Greeting rituals tend to be the same in these regions and in the United States, consisting of minimal body contact which often remains confined to a simple handshake. In 1966 Anthropologist

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...

 Edward Hall identified four different zones of personal space Americans like to keep around them:

• Intimate distance: extends roughly 18 inches (45.7 cm) from the individual and is reserved for family, pets and very close friends. Displays of affection and comforting are commonly conducted within this space. The only strangers an individual typically accepts within his or her intimate space are health care professionals.
• Personal distance: extends 1.5 to 4 ft (0.4572 to 1.2 m) is reserved for friends and acquaintances. A handshake will typically place strangers at least 2 to 4 ft (0.6096 to 1.2 m) apart, preserving the personal distance.
• Social distance: extends from about 4 to 12 ft (1.2 to 3.7 m) and is used for formal, business and other impersonal interactions such as meeting a client.
• Public Space: extends more than 12 feet (3.7 m) and is not guarded. Secret Service
  United States Secret Service
  The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
  
  agents will commonly attempt to ensure 12 feet (3.7 m) of open space around dignitaries and high ranking officials.