The "eyes looking rule" generally refers to guidelines about how long to maintain eye contact with someone during a conversation. While there isn't a single, universally agreed-upon rule, a common recommendation is the 50/70 rule.
Understanding the 50/70 Rule
The 50/70 rule suggests the following:
- Listen 70% of the time, look 50% of the time. This means when listening to someone, you should maintain eye contact roughly 50% of the time. When speaking, you should maintain eye contact about 70% of the time.
General Eye Contact Guidelines
Beyond the 50/70 rule, here are some general guidelines for appropriate eye contact:
- Duration: Aim for eye contact lasting around 4-5 seconds at a time.
- Breaking Eye Contact: Briefly look away and then re-establish eye contact to avoid staring, which can make the other person uncomfortable.
- Cultural Differences: Be aware that cultural norms regarding eye contact vary significantly. What is considered appropriate in one culture might be seen as rude or aggressive in another.
- Individual Differences: Some people are naturally more comfortable with sustained eye contact than others. Pay attention to the other person's body language and adjust your behavior accordingly.
- Context Matters: The appropriate amount of eye contact can depend on the situation and your relationship with the other person. For instance, a formal business meeting might require more eye contact than a casual conversation with a friend.
Why is Eye Contact Important?
Maintaining appropriate eye contact is important for:
- Building trust and rapport: Eye contact signals that you are engaged, interested, and paying attention.
- Communicating confidence: It can project self-assurance and sincerity.
- Understanding nonverbal cues: Eye contact allows you to observe the other person's facial expressions and body language, which can provide valuable insights into their thoughts and feelings.
