Is it normal to not make eye contact with a person while speaking?

88% Normal
7 Comments

I have this happen to me daily even with close friends. My problem: I don't know if I am suppose to look the person talking to me directly in the eyes the entire time we're speaking or am I supposed to drift my eye contact with them just a little bit and look at something else as they are talking to me?

Other words, I find it really WEIRD and uncomfortable to give the person speaking to me direct eye contact the entire time they are speaking and I don't know if they take this as being rude or that I am not listening when in fact I am listening.

Is this normal?

Voting Results
88% Normal
Based on 59 votes (52 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 7 )
  • MAIRzY
    12 years ago

    I do that but i dont give a shit what they think.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • ThePhilosopher23
    12 years ago

    The solution: do both, phase in between eye contact and looking away, or just seem busy so that it is more appropriate to look away for longer periods of time.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • klassyheartbreak
    13 years ago

    Dudeee I'm the same way. It makes me extremely uncomfortable to look people in the eyes when they're talking to me

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • heyimedenO1O
    13 years ago

    I DO THAT TOO!!!!
    i just get so confused and don't know what to do.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    Haha.....do the same thing!!!! It's so annoying. Just focus then look somewhere from time to time like when u hear a noise or like fix ur shirt and look down.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • jermath35
    13 years ago

    U gotta look them in the eye and then glance away from time to time... If u just stare at them u could freak them out... And if u don't look at them at all it looks like ur upset with them...

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Alaskaraven
    14 years ago

    It is polite to show them you are paying attention.

    I know someone that ppl think is weird- he doesn't look you in the eyes much; I even looked up Asbergers Syndrome- thought maybe brain damage- something off- the pauses, the not looking at you... he will look at the floor when talking to ppl as if it's normal..

    You can look around too, but every couple of seconds, look at THEM, to let them know they have your attention, and you are speaking to THEM, not to the air in general.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0