Chapter 8 — Quiz
Try the whole quiz before checking the key.
Multiple choice
1. In the West, ordinary friendly conversation happens at about: - A) 0–18 cm (very close) - B) an arm's length (the "personal" zone) - C) 5 meters - D) touching distance
2. The anthropologist who named the zones of personal space (proxemics) was: - A) Hofstede - B) Edward Hall - C) Berry - D) Meyer
3. If a Western colleague keeps stepping back as you talk, it usually means: - A) they dislike you - B) you're standing too close for their comfort - C) they're cold - D) they want to leave
4. Western personal space is generally _____ than in many other cultures: - A) smaller - B) larger - C) identical - D) nonexistent
5. Cutting in line (jumping the queue) is treated in the West as: - A) clever and efficient - B) a serious small social offense (violating fairness/equality) - C) totally normal - D) a compliment
6. In an elevator, the expected behavior is to: - A) face the other people and chat loudly - B) face forward, stay quiet, keep distance - C) stand as close as possible - D) stare at others
7. For a first professional meeting, appropriate touch is: - A) a hug - B) a handshake - C) a cheek kiss - D) an arm around the shoulder
8. The "OK" hand sign (finger-thumb circle): - A) is universally positive - B) can be offensive in some countries — use with care - C) means "come here" - D) is a Western insult always
9. Which region tends to have larger personal space and less casual touch? - A) Southern Italy - B) Brazil - C) the Nordic countries - D) the Middle East
10. The high-contact-culture style (more closeness/touch) is best understood as: - A) inappropriate everywhere - B) a way of expressing warmth and trust - C) identical to Western norms - D) always rude
11. (new) When someone keeps Western distance from you, the accurate reading is: - A) they dislike you - B) respect for autonomy / normal space norms — not about you - C) they're afraid of you - D) they want to fight
12. (new) An instant "sorry, I didn't see the queue" works because it signals: - A) that you're weak - B) that you weren't claiming to be more important than those waiting - C) that you'll pay for everyone - D) nothing
True / False
13. Standing closer than arm's length with someone you've just met may read as pushy in the West. (True / False)
14. Queue culture is especially strong in the UK. (True / False)
15. Gestures like thumbs-up mean the same thing in every culture. (True / False)
16. The larger Western bubble has a real downside — touch-deprivation and physical loneliness. (True / False)
17. (new) Same-gender touch between male friends (close standing, arm-in-arm) is more restricted in mainstream Western male culture than in many high-contact cultures. (True / False)
Short answer
18. Explain why queue-jumping provokes such strong reactions (which values does it violate?).
19. A Western friend keeps more distance and touches you less than feels natural. Give the accurate reading of this.
20. Name two elevator or public-transit etiquette rules.
21. (new) Name two non-touch ways to express warmth that land well in a low-contact Western workplace.
---
Answer Key
- B. 2. B. 3. B. 4. B. 5. B. 6. B. 7. B. 8. B. 9. C. 10. B. 11. B (about space norms, not you). 12. B (you weren't claiming superiority).
- True. 14. True. 15. False — gestures vary and some are offensive elsewhere. 16. True. 17. True.
- Model: It violates fairness (everyone waits their turn) and equality (no one's time is worth more than another's) — so it reads as claiming you're more important than everyone else.
- Model: It's the normal, larger Western personal bubble and low-touch default — respect for your autonomy, not coldness or rejection.
- Any two: face forward and stay quiet in elevators; keep distance/don't sit right beside someone if seats are free; no staring; give up your seat for elderly/pregnant/disabled passengers; keep voice and phone low.
- Any two: specific verbal appreciation; warm smile + eye contact; remembering and asking about personal details; small helpful acts; genuine compliments; written thanks.