this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2025
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[–] [email protected] 62 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

I've never heard averting eye contact means that. I do it all the time because I'm scared of making eye contact not because I'm disinterested or dishonest

[–] [email protected] 47 points 3 days ago

In some cultures, direct eye contact is actually aggressive and disrespectful. Kind of jarring when it happens when you come from a culture where eye contact means you're paying attention...

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 days ago

I think that's the joke

[–] [email protected] 22 points 3 days ago

The thing about body language is that it's always context specific. Yours is a common reason in a lot of people who avoid eye contact, especially with strangers. However, if someone who usually doesn't avoid eye contact suddenly does it, then it's often because they're disinterested or dishonest. Or just nervous or stressed. I don't know. Maybe I'm full of shit too, but I don't call myself an expert.