Reminds me to a rather good book i've read ages ago, as a teen: The Hidden Dimension by Edward T Hall - the full book is online in PDF:
http://www.philo-online.com/TEXTES/HALL%20Edward%20Twichell%20-%20The%20hidden%20dimension.pdf (i recommend to TC)
^
One thing i realised by reading / reflecting upon it at the time was the mutuality of acceptable proximity. E. g. when the other party/parties is from an inherently reclusive pool (like "nordic" etc.), then even a much wider distance still verges on intrusive for me (and presumably for the other party as well). Whereas with a traditionally less inhibited culture (gypsies, various 'southern' types), close proximity - even accidental physical contact - feels a lot more natural / unobtrusive. So 'personal space' is not a fixed stagnant - it boils down to momentary, involuntary, mutual interaction i guess.
That in a cultural context though, regardless of gender. Frankly, as a female, i tend to get creeped out by other females touching me in any manner.
- "Touching the person's shoulders and patting them on the back have been shown to yield significant results in getting people less risk averse, if the person doing the touching is female"
Pickpockets 101, lol. Ever watched Italian gypsy pickpocket girls in action? An admirable skill - and a dying trade.