Is it weird that I have normal eye contact sometimes?

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rickskyscraper
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse

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Joined: 6 Jan 2013
Age: 56
Gender: Male
Posts: 43
Location: Indiana, USA

19 Jan 2013, 6:34 pm

I can't remember looking at eyes as a child, but at 18 or so my boss told me that I never looked at him, and that no one would ever trust me if I couldn't look at their eyes.

SO, I practice, and still practice today 25 years later. My biggest issue is men who seem to believe a normal conversation means direct eye contact. I can't do it.

With a very few, I probably seem natural. Most, it is an act on my part. Some can tell, I think and are uncomfortable.



rascalboy
Butterfly
Butterfly

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Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Age: 33
Gender: Male
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20 Jan 2013, 6:17 pm

Not sure whether it's normal or not, but I personally will avoid eye contact with people unless I'm very comfortable with them or else for important things (like job interviews, or when they're listing ways not to die while operating heavy machinery, etc). I usually break eye contact every few seconds to try and give the other person a break because otherwise they will start breaking eye contact with me. I suppose it's because I have an intense stare or something?
I'm not sure exactly why I avoid eye contact. I'm an animal person, and am very aware of body language in animals (and to a good degree in people as well), and eye contact is a big no-no with a lot of animals (dogs), while at other times it is beneficial (when working with horses). Perhaps it's a dominance thing? I've found it very useful to have intense eye contact with people to intimidate them. People seem to find it disquieting when someone who avoids eye contact (and is then seen as meek in their eyes), suddenly puts their head up and makes direct eye contact.
I don't know about you, but I usually do it to get a stronger 'contact'. I find it difficult to get someone's feelings simply by voice only; I have to glance at them occasionally.