Do you look at people directly when saying 'thank you' or 'sorry'?

Question

I've noticed that I've developed a habit of looking at my hand when receiving change for a purchase and just muttering 'Thank you' as I'm looking at my hand/purse. Or if I bump into someone in a shopping centre just whirling around and saying 'sorry' without any eye contact.

I think it's become a lost gesture to look at someone directly and say 'thank you' - not in a strange way. Just in a direct way. Or 'sorry' and actually looking at the person.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I look them in the eye, I want to be taken as genuine.

Answer 2

When making an exchange of goods or money I usually try to engage that person in eye contact and smile with my eyes as well as my mouth.

I think it's really important to make that contact with people.

Answer 3

If I say thank you or sorry I look the other person in the eyes just so they can see that I am being serious.

Answer 4

I'll look at someone when I say thank you, and usually when I say sorry- but like you said, if they're a stranger and I've bumped into them, I don't look at them. I guess it's out of embarrasment.

Answer 5

Always try to look at the person...otherwise it may seem cursory and meaningless.

Answer 6

i use to look at the people and say thank you or sorry...

but now maybe because of rushing, i rarely does that anymore..

but lately i've been trying to do so...

i think it's much polite to say it right in their face rather than to your hands...

sometimes looking at them and say thank you feels kinda weird too! lol good question... =) i'll give you a star~ =)

Answer 7

I think that you should always have some eye contact when having a conversation with someone, no matter what you are saying. I don't mean stare directly ito their eyes and not blink, but look at them sincerely. If you look away, especially when they are talking you give the idea that what they are saying is not important.

Answer 8

No, I prefer to bump into a person and pick their pocket.

Answer 9

I always make a point of looking directly at whomever I am thanking.

Saying sorry is a concept with which I am not familiar. This on account of I never do anything to apologise for :o)

Answer 10

When people don't look you in the eye. That means the statement doesn't really carry any weight.

Answer 11

I believe it's more genuine.. or appears more genuine to look the person in the eyes when saying it.. they can read from your facial expression that you really mean it.. if you turn away.. they may not know if it's really meant from the heart.. therefore I believe in saying it to their face... x*x facial expression also tells a lot and one can see if a person really means it unless they are really good actors.. x*x

Answer 12

When I'm taking something from someone I look at them when I say thank you.

However if I bump into someone we're both moving too fast to stop and look at them to say "I'm sorry".