Variation
Personal space is highly variable. Those living in a densely populated places tend to have a smaller personal space. Residents of India tend to have a smaller personal space than those in the Mongolian steppe, both in regard to home and individual. For a more detailed example, see Body contact and personal space in the United States.
Personal space has changed historically together with the boundaries of public and private in European culture since the Roman Empire. This topic has been explored in A History of Private Life, under the general editorship of Philippe Ariès and Georges Duby, published in English by the Belknap Press.
Personal space is also affected by a person's position in society with more affluent individuals demanding a larger personal space.
People make exceptions to, and modify their space requirements. A number of relationships may allow for personal space to be modified and these include familial ties, romantic partners, friendships and close acquaintances where a greater degree of trust and knowledge of a person allows personal space to be modified.
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