What is Buffer Zone?
1.
A distance of at least one unit of seating (e.g. a chair, a foot or two on a bench) in between you and at least one other person. It is most often used when: a) a foul odor is emanating from the person next to you b) you don't want to be accused of being too close to a person of the same sex for, well, obvious reasons...homosexuality c) discomfort
"Hey dude you smell like shit, we should have a 1 desk buffer zone or I'll pass out during class."
2.
The empty urinal(s) between two guys using other urinals in a men's bathroom.
The bathroom was so crowded that I decided to use the stall instead of a urinal without a buffer zone.