Do people look at you weird, or avoid eye contact?

G

God_help_Us

Active member
I noticed this a lot (in fact, ever since I high school.) People will either catch eye contact for a split second than snap away and pretend to not notice me...

or...

they might get this worried uncomfortable look, nod or say "hey whassup," and keep going. I've been told I have a penetrating gaze. I've also had to learn the hard way that I need to watch my eye contact, and also that I have a flat, emotionless look, but I do that to control the "angry" look I've been accused of. So, any thoughts? I feel like a reject when that happens, and it happens all too often.
 
Day_Tripper

Day_Tripper

1
God_help_Us said:
I noticed this a lot (in fact, ever since I high school.) People will either catch eye contact for a split second than snap away and pretend to not notice me...

or...

they might get this worried uncomfortable look, nod or say "hey whassup," and keep going. I've been told I have a penetrating gaze. I've also had to learn the hard way that I need to watch my eye contact, and also that I have a flat, emotionless look, but I do that to control the "angry" look I've been accused of. So, any thoughts? I feel like a reject when that happens, and it happens all too often.
Click to expand...

I feel somewhat similar. I realized that I can't make eye contact and thoroughly listen to someone at the same time. Either I'm looking away and concentrating on their words, or focusing on maintaining eye contact and facial expression. My friends though are cool with me looking away while they talk though.
 
social_phobia2008

social_phobia2008

Well-known member
Yea i feel like that too. Maintaining eye contact and at the same time proccesing what someone is saying might be a little bit to much sometimes.

People often acused me im not listening to them when i did not maintained eye contact. As soon as i was looking elsewhere for like 5-6 second they were like: hey, im talking to you, are you listening??? lol

And i was like: of course im listening to you, but in my mind i was thinking why should you look him in the eyes all the time, u use your ears to hear him not your eye.
 
G

God_help_Us

Active member
Well, I didn't mean in conversation so much as when people see you when you walk by. Like, they ought to say hi, but either look away, or if they do it's accompanied with irritated expression.
 
planemo

planemo

Well-known member
I also have a penetrating gaze, and a rather flat, emotionless expression. I know in my earlier years in school this got me into a lot of trouble with my teachers. I couldn't really understand why though. I mean I wasn't being rude or causing any disruption in the class. But my teachers felt I as daydreaming and not paying attention. Yeah, cardinal sin. :rolleyes:

Anyways I thought this could be explained away by having an ASD like Aspergers Syndrome or PDD - NOS. Not really sure if I have theses conditions but I know the comments people gave me about my gaze and expression really hurt. People would tell me "look alive". I really hated that.:mad:
 
A

AidanKay

Active member
emu_noodles said:
I also have a penetrating gaze, and a rather flat, emotionless expression. I know in my earlier years in school this got me into a lot of trouble with my teachers. I couldn't really understand why though. I mean I wasn't being rude or causing any disruption in the class. But my teachers felt I as daydreaming and not paying attention. Yeah, cardinal sin. :rolleyes:

Anyways I thought this could be explained away by having an ASD like Aspergers Syndrome or PDD - NOS. Not really sure if I have theses conditions but I know the comments people gave me about my gaze and expression really hurt. People would tell me "look alive". I really hated that.:mad:
Click to expand...

I too have the gaze and expressionless face (which can look angry or sad). Which can sometimes come in handy, like when someone tries to scare you, or you're watching a scary movie, people often comment how I don't look scared - although I am, lol.

I've also had the comments by people I know, and random strangers that I should 'cheer up' when I'm perfectly happy. It can get you down.
It sucks how this happens, but it's a little comforting to me at least, and hopefully others reading this, to know that their are others out there similar to you.

Cheers,

-Aidan.
 
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