Final answer:
Collectivistic cultures are often considered high touch cultures, emphasizing physical closeness and touch in social interactions, in contrast to individualistic Western cultures that typically value more personal space.
Step-by-step explanation:
High touch cultures are those where close physical proximity and touch are common modes of social interaction. Collectivistic cultures, typically found in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, tend to be high touch. They emphasize strong group cohesion and interpersonal connections, which are often manifested through physical gestures such as holding hands, touching, or standing close to one another in social situations.
In contrast, individualistic cultures, which include many Western societies like the United States, Canada, and Australia, often maintain more personal space and place a higher value on individual autonomy. This can be reflected in greetings as well; for example, a handshake or a wave might be more common than close physical contact. It's important to recognize that cultural norms around touch and space can evolve and are influenced by a wide array of factors, including current public health guidelines.