I suspect eye contact is rather engrained in our species. It’s a very important part of communication, or so I’ve been told and experienced.
I’ve definitely seen people disadvantaged by being unwilling or unable to look others in the eyes while having a conversation. But I’m not sure we should go as far as discouraging it because some people feel aggressed by being looked at.
At the same time we can all endeavour to be more understanding that people not being able to make eye contact doesn’t necessarily mean much.
> I suspect eye contact is rather engrained in our species. It’s a very important part of communication, or so I’ve been told and experienced.
Except as has been pointed out several times in this thread, the two most populous countries in the world consider it rude, which means your opinion is probably a minority opinion worldwide and not really so ingrained.
I’ve definitely seen people disadvantaged by being unwilling or unable to look others in the eyes while having a conversation. But I’m not sure we should go as far as discouraging it because some people feel aggressed by being looked at.
At the same time we can all endeavour to be more understanding that people not being able to make eye contact doesn’t necessarily mean much.