[TML] How long can you survive in the vacuum of space?

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 7/2/08 8:38 PM, "Grimmund" <grimmund at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 7:25 PM, Jerry W Barrington
> <jerry.barrington at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> I forget the specific cultures, but different
>> people have different boundaries of "personal space".  So, when somebody
>> from a culture that expects 2 ordinary people will stand a few inches apart
>> while talking talks to somebody from a culture that expects a couple feet,
>> you'll see what looks like one chasing the other around.  P steps closer, Q
>> steps back.  Repeat ad absurdum.
> 
> Americans and Iraqis, Kuwaitis, and Saudis.  The Arabs, generally,
> like to be in touching distance, if not actually holding onto your
> elbow, while they talk to you.   Americans tend to be more comfortable
> at arm's reach.    One steps closer, the other steps back.
> 
> For current deployments, it's actually part of the brief, and troopies
> get some training on having strangers stand that close and touch them
> while they talk.

Oddly, while thoroughly American, I seem to lean towards the
contact/near-contact range.  Well, depends who I'm talking to.  :)