A Matter of Personal Space

Personal space--what is that? According to Worsleyschool.net, your personal space is like an invisible bubble that surrounds you. If people move inside this bubble when they are talking to you, it may make you feel uncomfortable.

It is hard to understand why most people chose to invade this or if they realise they are doing it. But it often times happen to me and the truth is, it is truly uncomfortable--especially when it is a stranger.

A few days ago I was standing at the bus stop. It was freezing cold and I was getting a bit impatient because I missed the bus due to the traffic light and had been waiting a good twenty minutes for the next one.  Finally I saw the bus coming and left the bus shelter and stood on the side waiting for it to stop.  I had my hood up so I didn't see anyone coming up behind me and because I was wearing my headphones I didn't hear anyone.  Then I felt something brushing against my back. When I turned around, there was this woman, standing right there, against my back.  I removed my headphones and looked at her and she apologised and stepped back.  But this wasn't the first time someone had invade my personal space.

Merely a week ago I was on the bus, on the same route, and this woman came on, stood beside me with her bum against my shoulder! I was mortified! I tapped her and asked her to lean off but didn't she feel that she was all but sitting on my shoulder?

The point of this is to say, that not everyone is comfortable with you in their face. Try to keep a safe distance between you and the next person.  If you can feel yourself touching, then you're too close. If you can feel the person's body heat, breath, see the pores opening in their skin you are definitely too close.  Not sure what the norm is? Well here's a handy dandy diagram from Almost Savvy.


The personal space thing is a big deal. We've been learning about since as early as kindergarten.  Why is it so important? Why is this being taught from such an early age? People need to have control over their 'areas' and their bodies fall under that category. Adhering to the personal space theory can help with spreading colds, allergic reactions and the like.  Being too close can also be construed as confrontational when you don't mean to be. Think about it. When people are trying to goad someone into a fight, they are always right there, up in their faces. Just be careful--body language and distance says it all.

The next time you're standing with, behind, before or speaking with someone, stop for a second and look--are you at an appropriate distance? Are you making the other person uncomfortable?

Canadian Rapper Missing In Mexico

Canadian born rapper Forest "DY" Schab has been reported missing after a trip to Mexico.  The 23 year old, up and coming rapper is known for his rhymes in Danny Fernandes' Passenger and most recently the overly catchy That's My Spot with Danity Kane alum D.Woods.

His plans were to go away to a two week retreat where he would not be receiving calls or messages.  After messages and efforts to contact the rapper remain unanswered following the two weeks, his family reported him missing to the Toronto Police. Due to his singing career, they wanted to keep it out of the public as long as possible.

“We knew Forrest was not going to be available for 2 weeks, and we didn’t know if he was coming home or staying down there. We didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention that may embarrass him”, Jessica Schab said, “We just kept thinking give it one more day and we’ll hear from him.  We never expected that he was missing. We thought Forrest might turn up any day and didn’t want to negatively affect his career while he was gone”

It came as a shock to most that his label, CP RECORDS would still release his song That's My Spot after he went missing. Many are calling it a publicity stunt.  But CP RECORDS CEO, Tony Sal, is quoted as saying "We have spoken with the Schab family and sympathize greatly with them.  At their request, we will continue with the release of DY’s single ‘That’s My Spot’ immediately as his family believes there is nothing more important to DY than to have his music heard.” The release of That's My Spot was slated for right after his collaboration with Danny Fernandes' on Passenger. This was put back due to the situation.

The Toronto Police are urging anyone with information to please contact them at 416-808-2222. If you are in Toronto you can also call 222-TIPS or visit your nearest police station.


Reference:
Quotes (in italics) from Fridae TV

Give Love This Holiday Season

The week before Halloween was even over, the decorations were out and Christmas themed goodies were being sold in every store I stepped into--right along side the Halloween things.  What did that mean? Quite simple, really, it is that time of year again.

I never did understand the retail industry and how it worked. My mother always told me I should close one door before opening another but no one told the industry. They start one holiday before the other has even happened. 

What does Christmas mean to you? To me, it means a time where I can take a day or two and sleep because I over-work myself the rest of the year. It never really dawned on me the magnitude of the trouble I give my body during the rest of the year. Lately, I worked two jobs, thirteen hours each day, without a car.  That may not seem like much to some folks but when you're doing it it seems like hell.  Three hours of sleep per night (on a good night) and after a while, your friends begin thinking you've abandoned them. But the most stressful is the constant running to and fro, stressing over constantly missing buses, gridlock traffic and the worry over being late for the second job. To make matters worse, winter is coming and nature has given us a taste of her fury by dumping rain all over the city.  It is tough juggling two jobs.

But Christmas is supposed to be a happy time--one filled with hope and perpetual good cheer.  A time of good will toward our fellow man--it is a time where we should lend a hand to those who are less fortunate.  Remember to look through your life and see who in it enrich you as a person and contribute positively to your well being. Those that seem to suck your energy and always try to pull you down, you may have to re-evaluate your relationship with them and those who refuse to change. Take heed that certain people are not meant to be your friends but do not cut the relationship harshly. Explain your situation, give them the chance to change. Do not believe that a person cannot change in this instant. If your friendship is worth it to them they will do what they can do save it.

 

As always, I wish you a safe holiday season and a very prosperous New Year.

 

Kadian Tracey