I myself was taken by surprise when my American friend touched and patted my forearm as a greeting when he met me at school one day. He got too close again and I backed up again. I felt uncomfortable standing too close to a man who was just my friend. I was afraid I would evoke sexual or hostile feelings. Finally, space as a factor in contact within cultures is evident in the way of life of the people of that culture.
Space is used differently in different types of houses and offices.
I was more astonished when I came here and found that it was true. Middle-class American houses have almost no fences. Good neighbors seem to be important since everyone lives so closely to one another. In Thailand, houses in a big city are fenced, like being trapped in a high block with little communication within a neighborhood. The arrangement of offices in America gives me the idea that Americans need more space and privacy.