The City has evolved into a community of international transients.  It's refreshing to be surrounded by such culture and experiences.  The topic of 'personal space' came up during a conversation with a new acquaintance.  This lady is rather new to the City and fairly well traveled.  As we were speaking, I felt a little uneasy as to how close she was to me.  Perhaps it was because we had just finished a workout (a legitimate one - we ran the Embarcadero), Nonetheless; I moved a step backward.  There was an awkward silence, then we laughed it off.  You see, she's French, amused by certain 'American' customs.  Apparently, personal space is much larger for Americans then it is for the French

A hug is much more intimate to the French then a kiss on the lips, yet Americans dole out hugs as if they were going out of style.  A kiss, to me, is much more intimate and is what ignites passion.  

How would you rank these in order of intimacy ?

1) Kissing
2) Touching  
3) Conversation
5) Intercourse
6) Oral adventure

P.S. - These are placed in priority order for myself

It is a cultural thing that will instantly tell you what the other person is thinking of you. If they shake your hand that means they don't care much for you and are civil, if they kiss, not a real kiss but a light peck on the cheek, that means they consider you or want to be, your friend. A hug is for those who are already in their circle of friends.  
For me, since I have lived in Paris for many years, conversation, casual touching, pecks on the cheek, and hugs are casual shows of affection, and come naturally.  However the British, Germans, Austrians, Swiss and Scandinavians are much more casual and aloof , and may not even offer to shake your hand if introduced.
Its all about culture.  Personal space is definitely an American custom.
Hope this helps,
Kisses
Frederica De Nere

Bonjour Madame,
             
Thank you for the insightful and well written post.  It's the subtleties of affection and what they intimate I find fascinating.  How many times has a hug, held a bit longer than usual, been interpreted to be something more ?  The inherent value we place on a kiss on the lips versus an encounter of a more sexual nature...  

It's a pleasure to have read your bio.  It's a rarity (major understatement) to find such a well travelled woman, of British/Dutch descent, born in Aruba, raised in London and self educated in Amsterdam Cultural exchanges must have been a daily occurrence for you growing up.

I've been fortunate to have visited the French Riviera, but not able to experience Paris. Being from a City rich in history and beauty, Parisians appear to be a people unto themselves. And yes... it is all about the culture.

Au revoir!

That is an outstanding poll to conduct!

Tori:
Conversation
Touching
Kissing
Oral
Intercourse

Nick:
Conversation
Touching
Oral
Intercourse
Kissin

There are many factors involved including upbringing, siblings, culture, regional culture, sexuality, which religion, if any, touched your life, etc. As for me, I'm not bothered by the personal space of one's body. You can bump me, jostle me, stand next to me, and I'm not bothered. However, if you get in my face, then I'm bothered. If you stick a finger in my face, go face to face, shove something in my face, then I'll pull away. Therefore, I feel the most intimate degree has to do with your face.  

With oral adventures, one has to take his or her face, and put it on, in, around, or down the other person's most private body part, cock or pussy. That has to be #1. Remember the first time you ever thought about cock sucking or pussy licking? Remember how icky it sounded? #2 has to be intercourse while your kissing. Kissing does ignite sexual passion, but for me, it also helps maintain it. I love wild kissing during intercourse. #3 has to be intercourse itself. Your two most intimate body parts deep within each other. One could argue that this is #1, since this is the way to offspring. #4 would be kissing, #5 touching, and finally conversation.  

Where does nudity play into your list? Are you comfortable getting naked in front of others? In my travels I quite often visit hot springs. It's interesting watching the people as they come and go. Some people have no issue taking off their clothing in front of total strangers, with others keep most of their clothing on while sitting in the hot water. Most people are somewhere in the middle.