In Canada:
Depending on who you are talking to, making eye contact during conversations show listeners are interested or paying attention to what speakers are saying.
In Korea:
Depending on who you are talking to, making eye contact during conversations can show disrespect.
I know, I feel you.
But don’t worry. It’s not that CRAZY.
Just think of it as a different culture. Well, it is a different culture indeed.
In certain parts of the world, especially in East Asia, direct eye contact cause misunderstandings.
When you look directly at someone in the eye in Korea, you are technically saying that you consider yourself of equal status to them.
Now if the eye contact is between friends or someone you know of whom is in equal status as yourself or someone that is younger than you,
YOU ARE FINE.
But if the eye contact is between your boss or someone who is older than you or someone who has higher authority than you,
YOU ARE BEING DISRESPECTFUL.
Refer back to my second post on SAY YOUR YO’S THE RIGHT WAY.
Technically, It’s the same concept, just replace the yo’s.
If you don’t say your yo’s, you can make direct eye contact.
If you do say your yo’s, you cannot never ever make direct eye contact.
If you are still having trouble when and when not to make eye contact, just click on the video below!
(Credit to Vimeo.com)
And finally, if you can distinguish when and when not to make eye contact,
congratulations, you are officially 60% Korean.
LEARN TO MAKE EYE CONTACT THE RIGHT WAY!
How to be korean 