Course Overview

Culture Bites: Personal Space and Physical Contact in International Workplaces is a practical audio-based minicourse designed to help you navigate cultural differences in physical proximity and touch in professional settings. While some cultures are comfortable with hugs and close conversation, others prefer more personal space and minimal physical contact. These unspoken rules can impact workplace interactions, first impressions, and overall communication. This course explores global norms for personal space and physical greetings, equipping you with strategies to adapt to different expectations and avoid awkward situations. This course is part of Talaera's Culture Bites, a collection of short, podcast-style lessons (5–10 minutes each) that help you communicate effectively in international and culturally diverse environments. Each course in this audio series focuses on real-world topics like managing silence in conversations, handling humor across cultures, and navigating different communication styles. With this course, you'll learn how to balance respect for cultural norms with your own comfort level, ensuring positive interactions in any workplace. Perfect for advanced and native English speakers.

Learning Objectives:

By completing this course, you will learn how to:

• Identify cultural differences in personal space and physical contact norms
• Apply strategies to adjust greetings and interactions based on cultural context
• Use observation and mirroring techniques to navigate workplace interactions
• Communicate personal comfort levels with professionalism and cultural awareness

Target Audience

Anyone with Advanced English (B2-C2) and native English speakers