Culture and eye contact?

Question

I keep reading that lack of eye contact means someone is hiding something, is nervous, or dishonest. Where I come from, eye contact is aggressive and signals dominance. Stare a dog you don't know in the eye and it'll either cower or bite you. Stare a horse in the eye, it'll run or fight. Same with a cow. I only stare someone in the eye when I am seeking to dominate them. How do I do "urban human acceptable" eye contact? How long is needed and what body posture should I use? I have to make an urban business trip that needs to succeed..

Answer 1

Well humans aren't animals and you speak with more than just your eyes! I used to work in an urban school district and I found that my students were more comfortable when I tried to quietly smile while making eye contact and then looked away but in the same direction as they were looking while making constructive criticism. So look at them directly while you're shaking hands and introducing yourself but look away frequently towards relevant things like your presentation materials, the workspace you're talking about etc. Make sure to re-establish the eye contact frequently though and take your cues from them. There is wide variation within cultures for how much eye contact is acceptable and business situations are not the same as social situations. Stand up straight but hold your shoulders and hands in a relaxed manner! This will help them understand that you are not trying to dominate them--just sell them something!

Answer 2

I believe, and I could be wrong here, that only in America (perhaps North America) is it a sign of hiding something or lying if you avoid eye contact. In other cultures, maintaining direct eye contact can actually be a sign of aggression. The animals have it right. You really should research the proper customs and culture of the country you are doing business with, not just regarding eye contact.......on table manners and other things that you wouldn't normally think of.....just as a courtesy.

Answer 3

versatile, you're American. As in eye touch, I even have heard many Asians say that throughout the time of Asia it relatively is impolite. it is likewise impolite to make long eye touch in Europe. the element i do unlike is the Hispanic way of life while eye touch is often seen as a solid element as you do no longer understand what those human beings might do. as long as you seem, no longer stare, you're high quality. however searching for extra beneficial than 5 seconds is impolite and thoughtless (some thing many hispanics seem to do).