Has anyone ever noticed that some nationalities look at you when they speak, and others do not?

Question

My Polynesian boyfriend looks everywhere else when he speaks except at the person he speaks to. I have noticed this also with African American friends. Is this a cultural thing? I am caucasian, and am used to looking people in the eyes, and would prefer that they do the same.

Answer 1

In many culture it is impolite to look in the eyes of the person you're talking to.  I'm black and was raised like that.  Especially with blacks, we know we can get beaten just for looking at another black too long in the eye.    It's like an affront towards the person.

But it's in school, having white friends, that I learned that it was disrespectful to them when I didn't look them in the eye.

Answer 2

Its definately inpolite in some cultures to look poeple in the eye. I think in the muslim society a women isnt allowed to look a man in the eye. Some cultures also consider this a threat. But also in some cultures one of the hands is used to wipe the bottom and if you use this hand to pay for something they will refuse or even to shake their hand, would be insulted by this. If going over to another country that has a complete culture to your country then my advise would be is to get to know the do's and donts of there culture. Its very interesting to see how other cultures communicate, sometimes you wonder why they are like it. But that is what makes our world unique I guess.

Answer 3

mhmm... I've never noticed any vast&specific differences between nationalities when it comes to looking at people while speaking.. then again that's probably because I've never payed attention to any such thing, aha. xp I personally tend to look down or elsewhere when I talk to people and only look people in the eyes when it's something either important or, erm, intimate. I'm japanese. though I have japanese friends who always look people in the eyes, so..