Words and gestures are parts of communication. It’s supposed that nonverbal communication is about 90% from general communication. But, what exactly transmits this type of communication? There is maybe a dictionary about gestures and especially of visions? Well, this article is about the effect of eye contact in nonverbal communication and I’ll try to explain if a strong eye contact is necessary a great attitude.




When somebody says “yellow”, a person can think at sun, another at a yellow wall and others can think at broods and so on. We cannot know what the associated image to yellow is without our partner of discussion says it. The vision it’s an important characteristic of nonverbal communication.  There is a general opinion about eye contact. If you’re looking very powerful to your partner, you seem as being sincere and truly interested about conversation. Can be this opinion 100% really? Maybe, if something annoying had happened and I ask the others who’s responsible of that and all of them are looking straight into my eyes and just a single person doesn’t have a strong eye contact with me, may I suppose it’s his fault? Maybe he didn’t heard what I was talking about, maybe he’s thinking to something more important and hasn’t time to listen my problem or maybe seeing me upset makes him to get shy. Why the absence of visual contact would indicate just left-handedness?

Those who lie for surely have a reason. And, usually, reason impulses you do to everything to hide your lie. In conclusion, a liar can look straight into your eyes and continues to lie you off-handedly, neither the smallest whiplash attesting him. So, basing only on this type of reaction in analyzing somebody can be an austere error of judgment.  In Japan, a powerful eye contact indicates more a symbol of aggression and lack of respect. In Occident, represents interest and sincerity. The opinion about eye contact in nonverbal communication depends of culture, perception but also acquires different symbols from person to person.

People to who their eyes are “walking” while you are talking, can have many reasons for this reaction, without being less interested or double-faced. Maybe they are shy or nervous because an antecedent event ruined their mood. Personally, very rare I’m looking straight into a person’s eyes. I like to observe a person with more secrecy. I hate the idea of making my partner of discussion feeling shy or daunted. I was a shy person now long time ago and I’ve discussed with many timorous persons. I know how you are feeling when somebody simply gazes at you.  And, even when I’m looking to somebody when talking, I don’t look into his eyes but I’m looking to his face profile. But I’m not a hollow-hearted person. Also, usually I’m very attentive when somebody talks with me without gazing at him. In my opinion, I’m certain that you can proof your attention through other ways not just through assiduous looks.