Fundamentally, all human capabilities and performances reflect a complex collaboration of biological and socio-environmental factors. In fact, the unique environments that are "nurtured" in a person's life can greatly influence the "nature" of fundamental biological processes. This is the case with personal space. Although human beings have a “natural” need to interact through human contact, the socio-environmental factors of a human being's culture dictate the amount of personal space acceptable. So, it is not nature alone that determines the exact distance that is comfortable between human beings during conversations. Instead, it is the individual's cultural environment that determines the appropriate personal space needed to feel comfortable. Indeed, research on personal space is an excellent example of how a putative biological factor is influenced by socio-environmental factors. There are varying perceptions of what constitutes personal space in different countries and cultures around the world. Personal space is man's means of affiliation with others, society and the surrounding culture. Personal space refers to the bubble, or appropriate distance, around a human being that determines how close individuals can be during interactions without being offensive. While personal space is generally respected and instinctive during a conversation, anxiety or fear can arise when this space is invaded. In addition, the intensity of the excitement depends on the relationship between the two interlocutors (Trolley, “Personal Space”). Essentially, there is an element of “education” that is learned through the environment since differences exist between cultures. Research by Edward Hall in the 1960s documents the interaction...... middle of paper ...... space when a culture itself is strict in its views. Strict or relaxed, all human beings are part of the human race, the larger “community” made up of every culture and country. And in this human race, individuals thrive on interaction with others. However, this interaction is affected by the experiences of everyone in a community. People's politics, religion, status, age, and social norms determine acceptable boundaries for personal space. What is acceptable in the United States differs from what is acceptable in Europe or the Middle East when it comes to interacting in each other's space. Indeed, despite biological similarities with the human race, the social influences that surround an individual affect their behavior (Trolley, “Personal Space”). Therefore, every culture must be sensitive to the boundaries established by others, knowing that personal space is just that: personal.