PROXEMICS WITHIN A PANDEMIC
Figure 1
One of the memes that clearly depicts Sweden and their respect for personal space in general went viral during the pandemic. When waiting for the bus, Swedes would unconsciously space out with people being around 1 to 2 metres away from which other (as depicted above in figure 1). If Kenyans who use public transport were to see this picture in the present, they would think it was due to social distancing restrictions as the Kenyan norm involves people sitting or standing close to each other when waiting for a bus. However, from this meme, it is evident that even before the pandemic and social distancing rules were introduced, Swedes prefer having their personal space unbothered. This falls under the nonverbal communication code known as proxemics which is defined as how people perceive and organize the spaces and distances, they maintain between each other in culturally specific situations (Danesi, 2006).
Proxemics can be seen in different cultures and how they go about life. Different cultures have different acceptable distances whereby they interact. Contact cultures are groups where people stand closer together and touch frequently when they interact, while noncontact cultures are groups where people tend to maintain more distance and touch less often compared to people in contact cultures (Martin, 2010). This means that different cultures have perspectives of what is permissible in terms of space.
Space can further be looked at from an intimate, personal, social or public lens. This is seen in who is permitted to interact at what proximity and in most societies the more intimate or personal you are with someone, the closer you will interact
Proxemics can manifest in greetings especially through the way people greet each other in some cultures. For instance, the French culture, one is perceived to be a gentleman if they kiss the back of a lady’s hand when greeting. However in the Iraqi culture, contact between man and woman are frowned upon. This manifests the normal say of life before 2020. Proxemics to some extent has been greatly affected and changed due to the onset of the Covid 19 across the world. This is due to the introduction of mandatory social distancing whereby one is required to maintain, either by standing or sitting, 1.5 or 2.0 meters away from another individual as a means to try and curb the spread of Covid 19. This has had a major impact on cultures especially the contact cultures for example a majority of African cultures whereby greetings are intimate with warm hugs and kisses being the preferred mode of greeting friends and family. This may have not brought much change to how Nordic countries view personal space as before the start of the pandemic they already distanced themselves.
The million-dollar question is, will the pandemic and the implementation of mandatory social distance affect culture and how persons communicate in the near future? It is evident that the social distancing rule has disrupted how cultures interact. It is less common to see people shaking hands before a meeting and more common to see them fist bumping or even bowing. To some extent, this shows that culture is flexible and will adapt to the changing times. This is evidently seen in even how spaces are now arranged in public. For example, in the Strathmore University student centre, initially, a table would fit four individuals but can now only fit two individuals. In offices, board rooms where people would seat near each other are now being structured to space people out. This may be the new norm especially if the pandemic continues over a long period. This will lead to some of this distanced interactions and greeting being normal. However, in another scenario post pandemic, persons especially who are old enough to remember what happened before the pandemic may be eager to go back to what they were used to. From hugging to even standing and conversing when close to some one may go back to being normal as closeness brings a sense of togetherness.
However, the future is uncertain. The effects of the Covid 19 pandemic have mandated people across the world to adapt to the new norm and become more flexible with the view of proxemics. It has led to the establishment of more spacious rooms whereby people can sit at a comfortable distance.
The crossroads that proxemics faces have changed the way diplomacy and international meetings are carried out. Organizations such as the United Nations have adapted to the new norm. This evidently seen during the United Nations 75th Session of the General Assembly in October 2020. The conference occurred as a hybrid meeting with few delegations present while others attended via online platforms.
It is thus evident, that the pandemic has brought about a situation where people must adapt to the new normal when it comes to interaction and engagement with other people. The old style of shaking hands or even giving a hug might not ever return. I guess an air hug will help. Thus, the concept of proxemics is changing before our eyes and cultures may lose some elements that they hold dear.
Maintain social distancing!
Works Cited
Danesi, M. (2006). Encyclopedia of Language and linguistics. Elseiver.
Martin, N. &. (2010). Intercultural communication in contexts. New York: McGraw Hill.