Respect the bubble!

Some people have big ones, some don't mind small ones. Some cater theirs according to the people they meet and interact with. Some even have layers in theirs, for categories of people in their life – acquaintance, friends, BFFs, relatives, families, colleagues, strangers and aliens. Yet in some people, and certain cultures, the concept doesn't even exist. Bare all. Hey, it's a boundary-less world they say.


I am talking about a personal bubble, or a personal space or comfort zone, that invisible barrier you create around yourself, reserved for your own intimate feelings, for people you hold close to your heart, and for those you trust completely. Different people reserve different feelings and emotions in their personal bubbles. People from highly individualistic culture/community (like the Americans, New Zealanders, Canadians), the diameters of their personal bubbles are longer than those of the people from highly communal societies (like MALAYSIA, India, Bangladesh). Generally speaking. There are exceptions in all societies. Because of evolution, education, upbringing, and just personal preference, certain people who hail from highly communal societies can possess shrinking personal bubbles, and vice versa.


Merely from my own observation, I think my personal bubble is larger and possibly thicker (to barricade those hard-core social invaders) than most of my peers from the same culture and country. Only selected few people are allowed inside my personal bubble. And because I am one of those people who put other people who have crossed my life journey into boxes, or categories, I have layers of personal bubble for different people who belong in different boxes. Just because I know you, doesn't mean you're my FRIEND. Just because we are related, doesn't mean you're my family. Just because I am from Malaysia like you are, doesn't mean you can judge me and assume that we are alike. My personal bubble doesn't recognize race, religion, age or gender. Sincerity carries greater value.


To those who are allowed into my personal bubble, thank you for your friendship, trust and sincerity. To those who aren't, I'm sure you belong in one of many of your friends' or family members'. Just because you don't belong inside mine, doesn't mean you're a bad person, just means we value different things in life, and I respect you for that. And to those hard-core social invaders, who don't respect others' personal space, just because I invited you to my house, doesn't automatically privileged you of the bananas in my fruit basket. You're cluttering my mind, and my personal bubble is too small for your fat ass!