Sense of Self and Space. The comfort one has with self can be expressed differently by culture. Self-identity and appreciation can be manifested by humble bearing in one culture and by macho behavior in another. Independence and creativity are countered in other cultures by group cooperation and conformity. Americans have a sense of space that requires more distance between individuals, while Latins and Arabs will stand closer together. Some cultures are very structured and formal, while others are more flexible and informal.