It's one of those small funny things that we don't really think about.
But there's kind of a pretty massive difference in interpretation of this action between cultures. Like diametrically opposite.
In western cultures, its a sign of good listening to look into someones eyes while having a conversation.
In eastern cultures, it's a sign of defiance or aggression or power.
Personally, even though I've been raised in a western culture (australia), born into an eastern household (chinese)... it's always felt more natural for me to look away.
In fact, where it gets funny is that, if I find myself looking into the eye of someone, I'm actually listening less; I'm concentrating too much on my own facial expression.
To compensate, I tend to have conversations at the same time I'm doing something else, giving me a sound reason to not look at the person. I also find it to be much more casual and relaxed this way... I mean, shit, who has a sit down, face to face talk for anything less than serious nowadays anyway?
But what does the rest of GAF think? What kinda culture do you come from? And what exactly do you look at when you look a person in their face when talking? Left eye? right eye? nose? Can people tell when you're looking directly at their shnozz instead of their eyes? Maybe the mole on their face?
How do westerners tread that fine line between staring and looking?
Does it make much of a difference to you? Do you note when people are looking at you or away from you... does it matter?
*EDIT*
AH GODDAMMIT. Wrong forum. I'm going to blame the new tabs on this one. Not quite use to them yet.
But there's kind of a pretty massive difference in interpretation of this action between cultures. Like diametrically opposite.
In western cultures, its a sign of good listening to look into someones eyes while having a conversation.
In eastern cultures, it's a sign of defiance or aggression or power.
Personally, even though I've been raised in a western culture (australia), born into an eastern household (chinese)... it's always felt more natural for me to look away.
In fact, where it gets funny is that, if I find myself looking into the eye of someone, I'm actually listening less; I'm concentrating too much on my own facial expression.
To compensate, I tend to have conversations at the same time I'm doing something else, giving me a sound reason to not look at the person. I also find it to be much more casual and relaxed this way... I mean, shit, who has a sit down, face to face talk for anything less than serious nowadays anyway?
But what does the rest of GAF think? What kinda culture do you come from? And what exactly do you look at when you look a person in their face when talking? Left eye? right eye? nose? Can people tell when you're looking directly at their shnozz instead of their eyes? Maybe the mole on their face?
How do westerners tread that fine line between staring and looking?
Does it make much of a difference to you? Do you note when people are looking at you or away from you... does it matter?
*EDIT*
AH GODDAMMIT. Wrong forum. I'm going to blame the new tabs on this one. Not quite use to them yet.
