Personal space

Personal Space Social Basic 100 hours Requires appropriate culture knowledge

You understand the relationship between distance and social exchanges. You know how close to stand to someone to enhance a desired effect. You know how close is too close, and how far is too far. This skill grants a +2 bonus to one-on-one social skill use. In general, double-arm distance to about ten feet is best for diplomacy, inside arms' reach enhances intimidation, touching enhances intimacy or seduction, and across the room is often best for both boasts and insults. Each culture has its own take on distance and personal space, however. For example, among the Orcks you can reach into the pockets of someone you know personally, but for a Heldann any distance is too damned close. This skill also teaches other peripheral aspects of personal distances, such as the Formourian habit of not facing someone directly while either of you are eating or drinking, or the Bizzanite tradition of conducting business well within the bad breath zone—but actually touching is unacceptable. This is a separate skill for each culture, and requires the 'culture skill for each. Learning the mores of additional cultures after this skill is learned initially only requires thirty total hours (which may be tested down normally) while engaged in conversation with someone from that culture, or while immersed within it.