In Western cultures eyes are considered to show the central point of a person's focus. So if somebody doesn't give any eye contact during a conversation, it may be considered insulting. Many people would take this to mean that they weren't interested, and take their wandering eyes as a sign of their distraction.
For those without a diagnosed mental health condition, avoidance of eye contact could be related to shyness or a lack of confidence. Looking someone in the eye while speaking can feel uncomfortable for those without a lot of practice making conversation or who tend to prefer not being in the spotlight.
A lack of eye contact can be a sign of emotional discomfort. For example, someone who isn't making eye contact with you might feel awkward about the current topic of conversation, or they might be nervous simply because they don't know you very well and are anxious about making a good impression.
Good eye contact is an important display of honesty during a conversation. The eyes are a central part of nonverbal communication. They show a range of emotions that words won't always speak. And honesty can help two people build trust.
Individuals usually look away when they are thinking, hesitating, or talking in a non-fluent way. This behavior likely serves two purposes, the first of which is to shield themselves psychologically from the embarrassment of being judged for not proceeding.
Things You Should Know
He might be avoiding eye contact if he's attracted to you or if he's working up the courage to ask you out. He might also be avoiding eye contact if he's in a bad mood or feels guilty about something. Or, not making eye contact might just be a normal part of his personality.
When a guy avoids establishing eye contact, it could be because he likes you or has a crush on you. He may think that by avoiding eye contact, he can mask his feelings and make sure that you don't suspect that he feels attracted to you.
Can avoiding eye contact mean attraction? Yes, avoiding eye contact can be a pretty good sign that a person is into you. For instance, you are in a crowded place, and you notice someone gazing at you, but as soon as your eyes meet, they look away. After some time, you may catch them looking at you again.
Looking down:
If a person looks down when speaking to someone they view as more powerful, it could be a sign of submission or shyness. It can also indicate that they are nervous or hesitant about taking part in the conversation and are avoiding eye contact because of it.
If a girl avoids eye contact with you, it can indicate that she's interested in you or not. Also, it might mean that she avoids eye contact generally with people or doesn't want a conversation with you. Regardless of the reason, checking her body language and talking to her might tell you why she avoids eye contact.
Whatever the case is, avoiding eye contact is a cue that the other person wants to escape the conversation as soon as possible. Also, we have a natural tendency to avert our gaze from something or someone we don't like. So if a person always seems to avoid eye contact with you, then most probably, they don't like you.
Body language studies claim that a person who breaks eye contact with you by looking down is intimidated (i.e., attracted) and a person who breaks eye contact by looking to the side is indifferent (i.e., not attracted).
Looking to the left and down while talking signifies that the speaker is either recollecting facts. Looking at left and straight means the speaker is having a self-conversation before re-engaging in a debate or conversation.
It's possible for guys to try to ignore his romantic or sexual feelings if he's shy, uncomfortable, unsure about them, can't handle his emotions, or he thinks things are moving too fast; however, it's more common for guys to try to pursue these feelings instead of avoiding them.
He is trying to convey his feelings
Sometimes a guy may stare at a woman because he is trying to convey a message. He might be telling you with his eyes that he likes you and he wants to pursue a relationship with you. Research itself has proven that eye contact is a proven method of non-verbal communication.
If she looks at you and then instantly turns away, it may be because she is shy or doesn't want to get caught looking at you. If she looks back at you and smiles, that's an invitation for you to go introduce yourself.
If you are nervous, you might frown, look worried or look away. If you are wary or uneasy, you might look guarded, defensive or cross your arms. If you feel shy or unsure, you might cover your mouth or face with your hand or look at the ground.
A glance up and to the left supposedly means a person is telling the truth, whereas a glance to the upper right signals deceit. However, new research thoroughly debunks these notions. As it turns out, you can't smell a liar by where he looks.
In the United States, avoiding eye contact sends the message that you are uncomfortable in the situation. You may be perceived as rude, unfriendly or even arrogant. Depending on the circumstances, you may appear to be submissive or overly dominant.
If they immediately look away or refuse to look at you entirely, it may mean they're avoiding you. They may also use closed-off and unfriendly body language if they're avoiding you. You might notice them look down at their feet or stand further away from you than they do other people, for example.
If she's giving you a friendly look or watching you do something fun, staring might be a sign that she wants to be friends. If she's gazing deep into your eyes while smiling and/or initiating touch, she may have a crush on you. If she's glaring at you, she could be mad at you or someone else in her life.