Is it normal to be extremely annoyed and feel disrespected when...

47% Normal
12 Comments

people don't make EYE CONTACT when talking to you. It's almost like it's insulting when people don't; they might as well say "I may be talking to you, but I'm thinking of something else and not really focused on interacting with you." It's worse when you're talking to someone one-on-one. Oh, and it also bugs me when they don't stand facing you when you're talking (like not centered toward you). These two things drive me CRAZY. They make it SO obvious that they don't want to talk to you. Eye contact is respectful, shows you care about what they want to say, and that they have your undivided attention. It's the first thing I notice about someone when I talk to them. This applies to every person, including friends, teachers, family members, etc. I try to make eye contact whenever I talk to anyone that I respect at all, and I wish everyone would do this. If it was someone I didn't respect at all (or they obviously don't respect me), then I wouldn't be talking to them. And, I know it's just really weird for some, while others are shy. However, there is an exception to this when someone is driving. Overall, is it normal to take this simple and easy gesture so seriously?

Voting Results
47% Normal
Based on 58 votes (27 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • kizazzle
    13 years ago

    In some cultures, it's actually disrespectful to make eye contact--it's like saying "I do not respect you and therefore I am challenging your person and everything you say with my eyes".

    Personally, I only make eye contact with close friends or authority figures. It shows honesty and tells them that I respect and honour them enough to bare my soul to them.

    Making eye contact with a stranger or distant acquaintance makes me uncomfortable.

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    Im really shy. I try to avoid eye contact.I never thought I was actually being disrespectful :(

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    omg what are you? a 12 year old girl?
    yeah eye contact has something to do with respect but there are some people who are somehow afraid of looking you in the eyes. moreover almost everyone looks upwards when they think hard about something, like trying to remember a fact or so.

    and when talking about respect, in many cultures it shows respect NOT to look in the eyes of someone. like the ppl that talked to the king back in the days.

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  • ieatrocksdirt
    13 years ago

    some people have a difficult time makeing eye contact. it dosenet alaways have someting to do with you. if theyre general deameanor seems as if they are "disrespecting" you then look again and notice if its possible that they are nervous or shy.

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  • jrphotographer
    13 years ago

    Some people are shy you know :(

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    • reillyhawkins
      13 years ago

      for sure, some people are just shy. im not exactly a shy person but i do find it hard to look people in the eye when im talking to them. i think it comes from a fear of people not taking me seriously. if someone looks into my eyes when i am talking they might think im not being sincere. i cant explain that at all but for the majority of people they are not being disrespectful. if it happens to you al the time, then maybe you are the problem. maybe you are intimidating.

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  • Geneva5
    13 years ago

    Is not that why sunglasses were invented ?

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  • misanthropicninja
    13 years ago

    ...I never look people in the eye because, apart from being shy, some people act like you have a crush on them if you make eye contact.

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  • blue_chikibee
    13 years ago

    Yeahh, i get was ya mean and i hate it when people don't give me eye contact but it doesn't drive me crazy cause I'm thirteen so i don't expect my peers to give someone eye contact cause they can be very immature..but i love when people make eye contact, i feel like the conversation is just awkward when people look everywhere but into your eyes..

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    AHH!! dude when i was in the seventh grade I had like this problem with looking people in the eye. I would look them in the eye for about 5 seconds and look away cuz I felt too awkward. Now I don't have a problem.. maybe I was just self concious cuz I was a little chubby when i was younger.. Idk but i'm over it and yeah I feel like other ppl aren't paying attention to me when they aren't looking at me so I always try and get their attention by like yelling at them "Are you listening?!!"

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  • soccer2
    13 years ago

    I make eye contact but sometimes it weirds ppl out. I understand what u mean though. But just know it can make others uncomfortable and some are too shy to do it anyway. Once u get to know the person they usually don't do that in my experience

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  • luicyyou
    13 years ago

    well I used to make eye contact before but now not anymore I think it justs make people feel nervous or uncomfortable and its been said TOO MUCH EYE CONTACT was deemed as fake or your lying prosecutors and DA's use this trick

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