In general, Western cultures tend to value the presence of eye contact while Eastern ones tend to see eye contact as a form of disrespect. However, this is not always the case. For example, Australians greatly value eye contact in communication while native Australian aboriginals consider eye contact to be rude.
For example, in African-American cultures, eye contact with authority figures may be viewed as disrespectful. Similarly, among some Asian groups, eye contact between strangers could be considered shameful. In some Latino cultures sustained eye contact may be viewed as disrespectful.
In some countries, such as Japan and Korea, intense eye contact is often considered as being aggressive and disrespectful.
Eye Contact: Eye contact is an important aspect of non-verbal communication in Japan. Indirect eye contact is the norm as direct eye contact may be interpreted as intimidating. Indirect eye contact is particularly common when speaking to an elder or someone higher ranking to demonstrate respect.
Such sensitivity to eye contact seems to be innate and universal among humans; however, several studies suggest that cultural norms affect eye contact behaviours. For example, Japanese individuals exhibit less eye contact than do individuals from Western European or North American cultures.
Eye Contact: When talking to people of the same age, gender or status, direct eye contact is expected. Strong eye contact indicates sincerity and trust, especially in business. However, males and females are expected to lower their gaze and avoid sustained eye contact with each other.
Eye Contact: During a discussion or friendly conversation, make full eye contact with the person you are talking to. Avoid direct eye contact if you are scolded/rebuked by someone older or of a higher status than you. Some Koreans may also avoid eye contact with their superiors on a regular basis.
Eye Contact: Indirect eye contact is considered a sign of politeness . One may lower their gaze someone older or more senior than them as a sign of respect. Direct eye contact is more common in causal conversation, as well as arguments.
In Korea, it is considered rude to look directly into someone's eyes during a conversation, especially if you are being scolded or rebuked by your seniors or elders. In some cultures, making eye contact is a non-verbal part of communication; however, this is not the same in Korean culture.
Prolonged eye contact can cause attraction
A study published in the Journal of Research and Personality in which two opposite sex strangers were asked to gaze into each other's eyes for two minutes found that this was enough in some cases to produce passionate feelings for each other.
Making eye contact in China is a sure-fire way to make enemies, not friends. The Chinese people view eye contact as a necessary tool, but not in the same way that other cultures do. In China, people make eye contact when they are angry. It is meant to challenge the other person and is a sign of disrespect.
High-context cultures will use communication that focuses on underlying context, meaning, and tone in the message, and not just the words themselves. Countries that fall into this categorization are Japan, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and more.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, avoidance of eye contact is customarily a gesture of respect. In Western society averting gaze can be viewed as being dishonest, rude Page 2 or showing lack of interest.
Why do Muslims avoid direct eye contact with the opposite sex? Eye gaze reveals cues of interest, attention, affiliation, intimacy, approval, dominance, and aggression. Due to these reasons, Muslims avert eye contact or gazing.
Direct eye contact can be interpreted as disrespectful or confrontational in Indigenous cultures, especially when it is made to someone older than one's self. This may also apply to Australian residents from cultures in which direct eye contact is similarly perceived.
Kissing in public is looked down upon and seen as highly immodest among older individuals in South Korea. This has become less taboo with the current generation of young adults, but is still widely discouraged by elders. Dressing well is important in South Korea; it is considered a sign of respect.
여자친구 — Girlfriend
It's not really a nickname, but just in case you wanted to know the Korean word for “girlfriend,” here it is. It's the combination of 여자 which means woman, and 친구 which means friend.
Unlike western countries, having mono lids is much more common in East Asian countries. This is probably why having double lids is considered more special and beautiful in the first place! Having a Double eyelid makes your eyes appear bigger and wider - which many Koreans prefer.
Yes Chinese don't consider staring "rude", nor do they consider touching a stranger rude, nor do they consider asking strangers very personal questions such as how old, how much he weighs, or how much money he makes, rude. It's only your western thinking that these are rude.
Eye Contact: In general, Indians prefer to keep eye contact minimal or avert their eyes from the opposite gender rather than sustaining eye contact. Some women may avoid eye contact altogether. Direct eye contact is generally appropriate so long as you divert your gaze every so often.
Some studies show that intense eye contact can actually stimulate sexual arousal. People like feeling seen and understood. Intense or prolonged eye contact helps people feel seen and can make them feel confident and even aroused. Not only can eye contact heat things up, but it can also make sex more intimate.
As Korea's beauty standard is based on creating a youthful appearance, having large and innocent eyes is key. Big, round eyes with double eyelids are considered beautiful, whereas monolids are often seen as unattractive.
High-context cultures include Eastern cultures such as Korea, where people have widespread networks with family, friends, and organizations. Low-context cultures include the US, Germany, and other northern European individualistic cultures (Hall & Hall 1990; Irwin, 1996).
Many Koreans use the same smiling emoji that the Japanese use. Older Koreans say, "If you want to know whether your counterpart is telling the truth or not, you should look at their eyes." This cultural thinking seems to be behind Koreans' use of the smiling eyes emoticon.