I don't get it. I often get treated like this at night class. I will try and make a conversation with someone by asking them "how is your weekend?" and they will hear my question, knowing FULL well that I ASKED them, but they will look at someone else and answer as if they were talking to them.
I noticed sometimes when I ask a professor a question, they will look at another student and answer.
No I am not ugly, I am just wondering why they look at someone else to answer instead of me.
Why do people do this?
If someone asked me something, I would look at the person who asked and answer, not someone else.
2006-09-06 16:41:33 · 6 answers · asked by TiredofIdiots 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It is in fact rude, that they don't look at you to answer your question. I can understand if you were asking them something they didn't want to talk about, but "how was your weekend" is a safe question. I am not sure what an acceptable reason would be to look away from you. I can't think of one. I would say just check your teeth and your nose, make sure you don't have something gross going on, and if not; perhaps they are preoccupied. As far as the professor goes, if he's answering a question in class, it's typical to look around to other students, so each student knows that they are each being spoken to; but if it's a one on one conversation, it's simply not acceptable. Just wanted you to know it's not you. Good luck!
2006-09-06 16:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes a lot of self confidence and and maturity to look someone in the eye when you are talking to them if it is someone you do not know well. Some maybe that explains your class mates.
I think the professor thing is different though. They are probably trying to make eye contact with everyone in the room as much as possible
2006-09-06 23:47:54 · answer #2 · answered by Katherine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In American culture, we often don't look directly at the person we are speaking to when we are speaking. When we are listening, on the contrary, we usually look directly at the person. So my guess is that, when the person starts to speak, they are following the cultural norm of looking away, and just happen to look at someone else.
2006-09-07 00:45:15 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are people who don't like to be looked at, and they in turn can't look someone in the eye.
2006-09-06 23:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by Call Me Babs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just trying to get some idea for anyone....
2006-09-06 23:50:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely right.
2006-09-06 23:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by country girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋