Proxemics is the use of space, for example personal space and individual boundary, “the study of the structuring of personal space- the invisible boundary individuals draw around themselves as proxemics. Chronemics is the use of time or “study of the use of time” (p.119). There isn’t a universal rules for all cultures regarding these concepts. Every culture is different in the sense of the use of space and time. For example, in the U.S people have larger personal space. When in line at McDonalds, people stand further apart from each other. However, at a McDonalds’ in Asia, people stand so much closer, and almost like they knew each other to be in such close proxemics. Same thing with Chronemic; in the U.S time is very precise, if say the meeting start at 3 then the meeting will start at 3. However, the use of time is much more flexible in Asian countries.
Sogo,
ReplyDeleteI come from Hong Kong and fully agree with your example regarding to the proxemics (space) in McDonald in Asia. In Hong Kong, there are lots of people who like to have the food in the fast food shop either in McDonald or Burger King because these two fast food shops are the icons respresting the United States. In my point of view, Hong Kong is a small city when we compare with other cities in the United States and the McDonald in this city can only be tiny. If the crowded of people lining up in the shop, then the people can only have small spaces with each other.
The chronemics means time that is also related to the punctuality. In the United States, the people is very much concerned about the time because the time is money that is mentioned by Harris and Sherblom's text. For example, we should be punctual to go to school and office because the punctuality demonstrates the respects to our teacher and boss. In addition, the punctuality is our responsibility to our study and work. Conversely, when we go back to see the people living in Hong Kong who may not be punctual in their schedules. Literally, the traffic congestion seems like the big problems that let most of them cannot be punctual at these places in their daily lives.