I know at least five people that, once I engage in conversation with them, will not make eye contact. They may be smart, capable, funny, and very interesting but while they are talking they will not look at me (or anyone for that matter). Why is that?
2006-11-21 01:41:50 · 16 answers · asked by footprint 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
No, I don't have anything in my teeth or pimples or a disfigured face. The people I know who do this do it to everyone they speak with, not just me. And no, the other people they do this to do not have something in their teeth, a pimple or disfigured faces either. :-)
2006-11-21 02:17:09 · update #1
They have some guilty secret that they are afraid people will realize or they are lying their heads off on one topic or another while speaking.
The other possibility is that you have some spinach caught between your teeth or a new pimple on your nose and they are embarrassed to mention it to you.so they are avoiding that kind of mental closeness.
2006-11-21 01:46:04 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why is it that every question is answered with this black or white answer ...the only way to give a real answer is to look at the question and just answer just what the person asks and not what you think the person is thinking...the reason people dont look at people while talking now is because of this stupid thing called not knowing how to communicate...people are starting to loose the ability to talk instead of texting or talking through there keyboards...it is sad but this is how life is...
2015-07-29 12:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
some people just do it naturally, its not showing a lack of interest or a lack in conversational skills, its just a habit. and many people do it, yes some of the time the direction they are looking can indicate they are making something up, but that is going away more now that people know it. in fact many people have developed the ability to come up with a lie or partial truth while maintaining perfect eye contact due to the fact that it has been revealed.
i know i look away often in conversations, especially when i am speaking, not to lie or because i am a terrible communicator, but because i look to the side to gather my thoughts and order them coherently. many people do it. my source talks more about it more in depth.
2016-04-01 11:13:25 · answer #3 · answered by Kacie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK it's cultural. I've heard the same thing with a small twist. It seems black people and white people have opposite presets in this matter. That's one possible explanation for the inability of blacks and whites to communicate in a satisfying way. Something deep inside of us recognizes something 'wrong' about the 'other' race. One group looks away to talk, the other looks away to listen. The upshot is that no one ever actually SEES the other.
2006-11-21 01:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some people its a cultural thing. Direct eye contact is a sign of disrespect in some cultures. Lack of eye contact is also a sign of insecurity, so maybe the people you are dealing with have low selfesteem. Or maybe you have something on your face and they dont want to stare at it.
2006-11-21 01:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps it is shyness? Most likely they are trying to continue their train of thought.
I personally find it annoying when another person will not look me in the eye during a conversation.
Be wary of these people, remembering that a person who looks to the left is fabricating, and the person who looks mostly to the right during conversation is remembering.
Body language is also a key factor in conversation.
2006-11-21 01:49:24 · answer #6 · answered by shortfrog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They might be nervous. I sometimes do that too. They could be lying as well. Or they could just be thinking. I know some people who will look me directly in the eye but then they look away and think of what to say next. So, they could either be lying, thinking, or just nervous. Good Luck!
2006-11-21 01:45:48 · answer #7 · answered by Lizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I look down for different reasons. Shy, was taught not to look at people in the military, to listen better to the conversation help to concentration on any question that may come up. I know what the person looks like when I have approach them, why continue to look at them, and also help to listen to my surrounding.
2014-01-21 12:43:46 · answer #8 · answered by Angela 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the eyes are the window to the soul, and people who have self esteem problems avoid eye contact because they feel it opens them to attack or criticism, or that someone can "see" their perceived faults. Sometimes people avoid eye contact if they are being dishonest, so you won't "see" their lie, but since you say these individuals never make eye contact with anyone, I would guess they have been abused at home and have low self esteem.
2006-11-21 01:49:35 · answer #9 · answered by Squirrley Temple 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
they could have mild autism . ther e are people who are so mild they do not even get diagnosed, but they can not do well with eye contact. they do not want to be rude they are not able to do this. If they do it all the time that could be it. It is a touchy subject and even if they know they have it they may not like to bring it up
2006-11-21 01:48:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋