Do you think its impolite to make constant eye contact with someone or making minimal eye contact is impolite?

Answer 1

Making eye contact is natural and shows a person that you are paying attention. However, it is also a very good clue to people who understand how it works.

In the natural course of conversation, your eyes will wander. Pay attention some time if you can, to how your eyes move. You aren't always looking at someone when you're talking to them. You see things behind them, you notice their brooch, you look at their mouth; that's all natural.

When you stare constantly, it's disconcerting, although not impolite, and if you make minimal eye contact, the person might feel they are being intimidating or you are very shy or nervous. It's not impolite but they are both signals to the other person that may make them uncomfortable or give them the "wrong" signals about you.

Test these theories with people you know and trust (without telling them till you're done, of course) and you'll see how it works. Look just over someone's shoulder the whole time you're talking to them and you'll soon see them starting to turn around, too, to see what they're missing-- and if there's nothing there to see, you'll understand! LOL

But seriously, t's not impolite, but it's not "natural."

Answer 2

Making eye contact is never impolite! It is just the opposite!

Making eye contact with someone is a way of letting them know you are listening to them and actually care about what they are saying. It lets them know you are being honest in your answers and comments. Constantly looking away when someone is talking is like telling them you are not really listening & that what they are saying is not important. That yu have other things on your mind & are not really paying attention. Looking away when you are talking is telling them that you are avoiding eye contact with them on purpose for either a deceptive reason or because you are unsure of yourself and what you are saying.

Answer 3

I read somewhere that eye contact of about 5 seconds at a time is acceptable in a working relationship or a casual meeting.
Any more than 5 seconds or so, and it becomes more of an intimate contact, and is considered in appropriate for work, church, casual friends etc. Plus, it feels creepy after more than just a few seconds, don't you think?

Answer 4

I contact is important and not impolite,but it makes most people nervous