What is actually meant by that space?
Is this space vary from culture to culture? Do different cultures have different definition and limits of personal space?
In West, being chummy with different genders is acceptable, but when they see some desi guys hugging (say even for saying Eid Mubarak), it is considered as gay. Its just an example to show how space is perceived in different cultures.
Any views?
Re: Give me some space!
I do not think in west hugging a man is always considered being gay.
But holding hands or putting arm over other male person while walking or sitting for a while is mostly considered being gay couples.
Men usually are not suppose to kiss other men even on cheeks in west unless they are gay.
But that is not so uncommon in Arab land.
Re: Give me some space!
It is also somewhat rude or inappropriate for a man to be close to other man while talking.
Some people from east are not aware of this but most men in in east or west keep going backward when they see someone keep coming close to them while talking.
I think it is silly for these men to be so afraid of other men but this the way they feel.
One should not be able to smell other person’s breath however.
Re: Give me some space!
There was an article shared in PA/life1 about Abdullah Shah 's mazar.. where the writer thought people (men) gathered on mazar and queued were actually involved in homosexual activities in public. This was starnge as the writer was Pakistani, but then I know why we Desis don’t like to be in a queue. 
Re: Give me some space!
lol
That guy must be a ‘pervert minded’. That’s all. 
Lots of men make a queue around the world very close to each other for various reasons.
Re: Give me some space!
When you are in an elevator and an unknown person enters, you unconsciously move to a corner, or behind ,towards one of the walls because you don’t want the person to enter your personal space.
Does this happen with any of you ?
Re: Give me some space!
Yes. It is just a polite gesture to give other person some space. And not breathe heavy close to other person’s neck.
Especially if this were to be opposite sex person.
Re: Give me some space!
Some people are uncomfortable with a few things even though its normal in their culture, such as a hug when meeting people you know.
I get uncomfy with hugs. A handshake and the arab cheek to cheek kiss is fine for relatives and friends but I prefer to end it with a handshake or a nod as an acknowledgment for acquaintances.
Re: Give me some space!
If the person is lady the no one wants to move. j/k
Re: Give me some space!
Is it just a polite gesture ? Or has more to do with your own personal space ? I noticed myself doing it often even if the person entering was a lady and there was ample space in the elevator.
Re: Give me some space!
Lol 
Re: Give me some space!
I think this is personal choice and not have to do with overall culture. I heard that there was a bureaucrat who was allergic with shaking hands and if by chance a person shake hand with him.. he immediately went to attached bath for washing his hand with soap 
Re: Give me some space!
Even in west, there is no hard and fast rule to shake hands with opposite sex person. It all depends on the circumstances.
And if one has already met with the person this rule is not followed at all.
Re: Give me some space!
Both.
Re: Give me some space!
sometimes people avoid going to lift if a lady comes (specially, when there is no one other than the lady and you). This happens in our flats lift… Last week, an aunty said ‘ajaen aap ko to main janti hoon, aap to apne bachon jaise ho’.
Re: Give me some space!
How about with the same sex ?
Among arabs you normally can’t just shake hands even if its just an acquaintance you are meeting.
Re: Give me some space!
And then the next thing could be a rude look and she may move further, so why even try.
Re: Give me some space!
Oh yes ppl are allergic to all sorts of things… my csn is allergic to the cheek to cheek arab kiss… she gets acne whenever she does that.
Re: Give me some space!
We still feel odd when a Pakistani actress hug a male actor / director during award ceremonies. A decade or so, it was considered odd in Indian film industry and not too many actress dare to do that.. but now its all common there.
Re: Give me some space!
It is more common on first formal meeting with same sex to shake hands. But again, not always. One can wave hand and say hi, how do you do.
If this is a meeting with too many people then no real need to shake hands with all of the people in room.