Personal space is a powerful thing that we usually appreciate most when it’s been taken from us. Now, there’s a study to back it up.
Right on the heels of “your posture says a lot about you” comes “taking up more space reflects your inner power.”
First, a note to all the gentlemen who feel you’re entitled to both your own seat and half of mine on the train, that’s not inner power you’re reflecting. You’re exhibiting the results of a slightly different study.
Back to the study at hand, taking up more space can actually make you feel more confident and boost your mood.
Again, this is not an excuse to lounge across multiple seats on the train guys. I think I’ve made my point.
But I digress, let us return to the study: I think the moral of the story here is that standing like a superhero can make you feel super. That is until people start to notice that you’re constantly striking a superhero pose, that’s how complexes are born kids. I mean really, who do you think you are? Superman?
Superman would stay in his own seat. Power gained at the loss of those smaller in stature is corrupted by nature. I’m talking to you, several people who have pretended to not notice that your “graceful” maneuver onto the train was made possible by shoving me into a wall.
Finally, always remember and never forget, those oft-quoted words of Peter Parker’s wise Uncle Ben (who I realize is from a completely different comic book universe than Superman): “With great power comes great responsibility. Respect the personal space bubble.”
…or something like that.
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TIME: Are You A Spreader? How the Space You Take Up Reveals How Powerful You Feel
…bi-daily smile…
If you’re going to invade others’ personal space, do it with style:
