Being forced to look into their eyes, teachers, etc.

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When I get stressed, upset or anxious I stare at my shoes or the floor or the far corner of the room directly away from the person I'm talking to. Several times when I've been discussing painful things with a friend of mine who is my go-to confidant for that sort of thing, I've shut down like that and he's told me to look at him, gently, not aggressively, so that he can be sure I'm paying close attention because what he's going to say next is very important. I usually manage to force my eyes up towards him and glance at his face before dropping my gaze to his arms or hands, and that usually suffices for him. That's the only time I've ever been "forced" to look at anyone, fortunately.

Well my mother used to tell me to look her in the eye and said that not doing it looks like i'm hiding something or guilty of something. I find it impossible to look someone in the eyes when i'm nervous and i'm pretty much always nervous.