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Remarkable, What a Difference It Makes.
Dec 8th, 2008
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hen I was young and had a paper route, my dad would help me on Sunday mornings when the papers were so large and heavy for a little girl to cart around by herself so early in the morning. Afterward, we would always stop at a donut shop. The person who owned it, a sweet old lady named Marge, was always there, and would always talk to us.
One morning, as I was speaking to her in my usual shy manner, looking at my feet, she told me to look at her. She then proceeded to tell me to always use eye contact, that it was respectful and polite, and that it would get me far in life.
I've never forgotten that, and now (almost) always use eye contact. With my friends, with adults, with waitresses and cashiers. Many a time people will look down, not quite sure how to react. It doesn't bother me, as I know how difficult it was for me to learn. But I've found that it does get me farther with people. They tend to listen to me more, and know that I'm intently listening to them. I've always gotten along well with adults, but I think actually using eye contact has increased my status in their eyes. I don't think they're accustomed to many eighteen-year-old punks actually looking them in the eye and listening to what they have to say.
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  | Posted Dec 9th, 2008 at 6:49AM Year!can't agree more!"Eye contract"is very important for regain conference i think.    |
 Feeling happy | Posted Dec 9th, 2008 at 4:12PM I have an eye contact phobia. Not 100% literal but kind of. I dont know why but i cant stare someone in the eye for longer than seconds at a time or i start to feel akward. I know it sounds stupid and i know that eye contact can be important but thats how i feel +3 nods |
 | Posted Dec 9th, 2008 at 6:01PM Thank you for passing on this good advice! |
 | Posted Dec 9th, 2008 at 8:39PM Aye, Ley, that it is. Deftone- I used to be that way. I abhorred eye contact; it scared the hell out of me. I can empathize. But if I ever happen upon you in person, I'll stare intently into your eyes and watch you squirm. =p Arsineh- Oy, you're quite welcome. |
 | Posted Dec 22nd, 2008 at 1:25AM I do not trust anyone that cannot look me in the eye. Eye contact is mandatory if you want to be successful in any aspect of life. |
| Posted Dec 22nd, 2008 at 10:31PM I wouldn't say that I don't trust anyone who doesn't use eye contact. There are some genuinely good people who are just terribly shy. But it does help, most assuredly. |
 Feeling sleepy | Posted Jan 13th, 2009 at 6:00AM, last updated Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:12AM I was always taught to make eye contact and I still try to do so (though I've always been a bit shy), but my brother (a teacher), who worked with indigenous australians and some asian students, learned that eye contact in those cultures can be considered impolite or even offensive. Maybe it will be less of a problem in the future, but for now, it's still prevalent in some areas. Sorry, if that sounded negative. That wasn't my intention. |
| Posted Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:18PM No, no, it's quite alright. I've heard that as well. |
 | Posted Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:34PM Same was said to me.. Eye contact is vital in getting your point across... but it bothers me sometimes... There are some people who show every emotion in their eyes and honestly, I dont always know how to deal with it. I dont look away often, I am very stubborn in that lol, but there are some that I just cant take the pain, sorrow, whatever bared in their eyes... +2 nods |
| Posted Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:42PM Ah, Tia, I know exactly what you're saying. And I'm actually one of those people... my eyes are too expressive. =p |
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