What's your preferred speaking distance?

[Missing]

@~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~  What's your preferred speaking distance?    ~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~@

[TormentDubz]

Depends who and the subject of conversation

[Vero Totem]

I have space bubble issues, so anything closer than beach ball distance makes me terribly uncomfortable-- even with close friends and family.  Also, I have halitosis, so I'm always afraid people can smell my bad breath.

[lovely_xm07]

I said length of a beach ball. I like my personal space as well and am very picky about it. Although, sometimes I can be very soft spoken so I’ll have to lean in close enough to see my reflection in their eyes just so they can hear me. 😅

[Olallieberry]

I usually like being pretty close, especially if there's ambient noise, because some people have a voice or speak in a way which I can't hear clearly, otherwise.

 

As long as I can hear them, no need to crowd. I usually indicate with a hand cupped around my ear what the reason is for my closing the distance. If they want to make more of an effort to be heard, I'm happy to back off.

[Squirrel Combat]

Atlantic ocean width.

 

For me it's generally arms-length for regular folks, but for more intimate settings, noses touching.

[Sarah-Sylvia]

Depends, but generally a few feet. 6 feet is fine for strangers or acquaintances, though I might prefer closer if it's a friend, etc.

[Philip027]

With most people, non-verbally.  So online, basically.

[Muledeer]

About four to six feet.  Speaking across a table is just fine.

[iff]

After googling length of beach ball, that is way too close.

 

6 feet is ok

Edited December 18, 2024 by iff

[Guest]

Edge of the world? 😂 Probably enough to engage but far enough to keep my personal bubbles bubble safe 😂 

[Ceebs]

About a foot or two from my partner (unless we're being affectionate and hugging/kissing whatever as part of the interaction), about 2-5 feet from other people in my life I'm quite familiar with (like family or a close friend), and everyone else... text/email if possible. 🙃 Actually though, most of the time I'd prefer just to message friends and family (except for my gran, when she was alive) rather than see them in person. And if I really have to speak to acquaintances or strangers in person, then maybe about 3-5 feet.

[everywhere and nowhere]

Preferably rather far, although it depends on where we are (in my living room, even "on opposite sides of the room" won't be much more than "six feet apart"; the room is about... 3,5 meters long, perhaps - I don't know, I can't estimate distances - and then, the armchairs aren't right next to the window and next to the wall...). But I certainly don't like having anyone physically too close. "The length of a beach ball" is already awfully close for me...

I also don't like having anyone sit in my armchair, because it's reserved for my clean indoor clothes...

[verily-forsooth-egads]

Beach ball is way too close, six feet is way too far. I guess I'll just pick whatever's funniest

[Missing]

I'm realizing now that I may have been picturing an unusually large beach ball. I was thinking like exercise ball size.

[daveb]

6 feet is a good starting point. Much closer than that and it better be someone I like being close to. Much farther, it might be difficult to hear and carry on a conversation. As others said, it does depend on various factors. 

 

I did have difficulties with one colleague once upon a time. He always wanted to stand closer than I was comfortable with, and if I tried to increase the distance he would step in closer. I didn't want to offend him, but didn't know how to ask him not to do that without causing offense.

[gwanyeah]

I have very dark brown eyes where many people have blue eyes. From a very young age I can remember older people being right in my face staring at them. I got used to it very early on and sometimes today even my close friends just kinda stare too closely at me when we are talking. Usually when that happens I stare back even harder until they realize whats happening.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Interstellar communications hyperlink?

 

Failing that, it depends on the individual and circumstances. I don't like people within my personal space, two metres or so at minimum with the few people I am closest to (unless it was a partner), otherwise further.

[Miss Grey]

How big is this beach ball? 😁 
For me I suppose around 3 to 4 feet. I don't want to appear distant but I don't want to smell your breath either. 

[iff]

@Missing

 

This poll is being locked and moved to the read only Census archive for it's respective year. As part of ongoing Census organisation, and in an attempt to keep the demographics of the polls current with the active user base at the time, the polls will last for one year from now on. However, members are allowed and even encouraged to restart new polls similar to the archived ones if they like them.

  

iff, Census Forum Moderator