When two people are engaged in a conversation, the distance between them can have a significant impact on the nature of their interaction. Edward T. Hall, an anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, identified four distinct “social distances” that people maintain in different situations. The distance of ten feet between two people talking falls within Hall’s “public distance” zone, which ranges from 12 to 25 feet.
Public distance is typically used in formal settings, such as business meetings, lectures, or public speeches. At this distance, people can maintain a sense of privacy while still being able to see and hear each other clearly. It also allows for a degree of formality and respect, as people are not close enough to touch or engage in intimate conversation.
