I’m pretty bad with making eye contact. When I was a kid, I remember my mom constantly reminding me to look people in the eyes. Eventually, I developed the habit of doing so, at least for the social instances where it was needed.
But in my normal state, eye contact isn’t of paramount importance when I talk to friends, family, and acquaintances. I find that I often absorb things better when I’m not making eye contact. I’m also able to express my thoughts more clearly when I’m looking off to the side.
I remember that my mom would be talking to me while I was looking away, and she’d stop and ask me what she’d just said, and I’d repeat it perfectly. Sometimes, the people I talk to also follow my gaze to the side, thinking that I’m looking at something or someone else, when I’m not.
Of course, I will meet the other person’s eye periodically, it’s just straight-on, extended eye contact that feels a bit weird to me. Long periods of eye contact actually distract me, as I tend to start looking at their facial expression and features more and lose focus on the subject at hand.
I know, weird post, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. How do you approach eye contact?
The gaze at randomtidbitsofthought.wordpress.com.
Dude, that’s totally the same for me. I find staring at people’s faces directly kinda weird and distracting; it makes me constantly wonder what they’re thinking about and sometimes that makes the conversation difficult to maintain.