Making eye contact can be difficult, especially if you are a shy person and need to talk to someone you like, or speak in public.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Facing each other
Step 1. Look directly into the other person's eyes and keep your gaze for a long time, even if you feel uncomfortable
At that point you will be sure that you have made eye contact.
Step 2. Remember that if you don't look a person in the eye, you may be perceived as a conceited snob, so eye contact is very important
Holding the gaze for too long can be nerve-wracking for the other person, but it's always better to look in the eye and be considered a little odd, rather than being labeled a snobbish and full of self.
Method 2 of 2: Public speaking
Step 1. Look almost everywhere
The best way is actually to look towards the interlocutor's forehead or hair, and by doing so, your gaze will still be direct.
Step 2. If you have to speak to a group of people, look to and beyond the audience
Once you have gained confidence, look around but don't stare at anyone for too long or you'll make a mess.
Advice
- Be sure of yourself! The more you believe in yourself, the easier it will be to make eye contact with others.
- Train! Try someone you know and trust so that you get used to it. Your family, your siblings or even your cat can help you!
- Looking straight in the eye will make your interlocutor think that you are listening carefully
- It goes without saying that if you talk to someone you like and don't make eye contact, you immediately know that you are nervous and agitated. Take it easy. Take courage and look straight in the eye. In other cases, not looking in the eye is interpreted as a sign of rudeness.
- Do not overdo it! People usually look into each other's eyes 30% of the time, and the rest of the time they look in the direction of the person. 60% of eye contact is a sign of attraction or hostility.
- If you don't feel comfortable, try looking towards the forehead, which is the part closest to the eyes.
- Try to feel comfortable with other people
- The appropriate level of eye contact varies by culture. For example, in many Southeast Asian cultures, looking straight in the eyes of an authoritative person is interpreted as rude behavior. This means that Asians living in the United States or Europe are less likely to make eye contact than Westerners, and are quickly classified as shy or untrustworthy.
