Of all the ways we communicate with people, eye contact is the most powerful. Eye contact can be a loving gaze, a hostile stare, a nervous glance, or a refusal to look at a person Looking at a people and meeting their eyes are the first steps toward striking up friendships and making a good impression. But if you look at a person for too long, he or she may feel threatened.
Failing to look at others causes suspicion as they wonder whether you are hiding something. Refusing to make eye contact also sends messages of arrogance, for it may convey that you do not consider the other person important.
There are subtle, silent rules to eye contact and they vary from culture to culture. Most Asians prefer minimal eye contact whereas in America, the UK and most of Northern Europe moderate eye contact is preferred. The Hispanic cultures, along with cultures in the Middle East prefer very direct eye. So if you travel to another country, be sure to know what form of eye contact they are comfortable with, so that you don’t offend anyone!