Eye Contact

EYE CONTACTIn many Western societies, including the United States, a person who does not maintain good eye contact is regarded as being slightly suspicious or shifty character.Americans unconsciously associate people who avoid eye contact as unfriendly, insecure, untrustworthy, inattentive and impersonal.
However, in contrast, Japanese children are taught in school to direct their gaze at the region of their teacher’s Adams apple or tie knot, and as adults, Japanese lower their eyes when speaking to a superior, a gesture of respect. Latin American cultures, as well as some African cultures such as Nigeria, have longer. Looking time, but prolonged eye contact from an individual of lower status is considered disrespectful.In the U.S., it is considered rude to stare- regardless of who is looking at whom. In contrast, the police Englishman is taught to pay strict attention to a speaker, to listen carefully and to blink his eyes to let the speaker know he or she has been understood as well as heard.Americans signal interest and comprehension by bobbing their heads or grunting. A widening of the eyes can also be interpreted differently, depending on circumstances and culture. Take, for instance, the case of the American and a Chinese discussing the terms of a proposed contract. Regardless of the language in which the proposed contract is carried out, the U.S. negotiator may interpret the Chinese person’s widened eyes as an expression of astonishment instead of as a danger signal (it’s true meaning) of politely expressed anger.