standing too close also may cause other people to feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, 
it’s very difﬁcult to determine the ideal amount of “personal space.” What works well 
with one person may not work as well with another. Personal space preferences also vary 
across ethnic groups and subcultures. That is, among some groups, standing quite close 
to the person with whom you’re speaking is the norm. But in another group that norm 
might cause great discomfort. Given that it is often difﬁcult to know how to behave in 
a particular situation, it’s best not to get too caught up in whether you are using these 
strategies perfectly or whether you’re making a perfect impression on others.
Examples of communication skills discussed in this chapter are provided here. 
As you read through the list, pay attention to the speciﬁc skills you are interested in 
improving.