Why on earth does no one make eye contact?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've noticed something a little amusing at my campus. My school is mixture of med students, physio, nursing and the newest degree... health sciences. All this attatched to the hospital where we all do our clinicals. We do a lot of walking from hospital to school and in the halls as well.

I noticed, literally in passing them in the halls that hospital staff, MED students and doctors BIGTIME and many nursing students, don't look at anyone (me) in the eye or if they do, they look away quickly. :uhoh21: I'm not scary looking that's for sure, and I'm certainly not going to start chatting them up. I'm in as much a hurry as the next guy. Has anyone an explanation to this? Do they actually chant to themselves "Don't make eye contact..don't make eye contact" Kind of strange is all. :)

I am hispanic and yes, I consider starring as rude. Also, pointing to someone is also rude.

{But, this is generally considered rude in any culture.}

I no longer like to stand close to someone when I am speaking to them. When I visit my country, I feel out-of-sorts because almost everyone values close interaction. I don't. So, my paisanos think I am being rude or "too american" in my ways.

Anyway, I just say "hello" when I lock eyes with a stranger. :coollook:

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It was taught as cultural diferences I mean i was just boiling it down, They taught us that there are cultural difference and my 2 examples in this instance wre Asian's and Latino's, I apologize if I offended anyone that was not my intent, I was simply making an example.

I am Hispanic.

You didn't offend. You didn't say anything racist. No apology needed.:)

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Specializes in Neurology, Neurosurgerical & Trauma ICU.

But what I think the OP was getting at was not "staring", rather making eye contact.

Eye contact when talking to someone is not perceived as rude. Also, when walking in halls, I do not "stare at people", but I do make eye contact, smile and say hello, then look away. Again there is nothing rude about that, no matter what culture you're in.

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But what I think the OP was getting at was not "staring", rather making eye contact.

Eye contact when talking to someone is not perceived as rude. Also, when walking in halls, I do not "stare at people", but I do make eye contact, smile and say hello, then look away. Again there is nothing rude about that, no matter what culture you're in.

Ya know... there exists such a fine line between staring and making eye-contact.....friendly and innocent or just plain psycho.....:rotfl:

Some American Indians will not make eye contact in conversation.

It is nice to learn about different cultures. :) :) :)

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I have noticed that most of the doctors, nurses and techs in the ER where I volunteer do not make eye contact, either. I'll pass them by in the hall or at their stations and they don't even look up. I guess they're just really busy?

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I definetely haven't noticed that at all where I am, upstate NY. In fact, for some reason it seems people are pretty friendly lately :) Maybe it's me, because I always try to make eye contact and smile and be the first person to say hello when I pass someone. I think it rubs off!

I've noticed something a little amusing at my campus. My school is mixture of med students, physio, nursing and the newest degree... health sciences. All this attatched to the hospital where we all do our clinicals. We do a lot of walking from hospital to school and in the halls as well.

I noticed, literally in passing them in the halls that hospital staff, MED students and doctors BIGTIME and many nursing students, don't look at anyone (me) in the eye or if they do, they look away quickly. :uhoh21: I'm not scary looking that's for sure, and I'm certainly not going to start chatting them up. I'm in as much a hurry as the next guy. Has anyone an explanation to this? Do they actually chant to themselves "Don't make eye contact..don't make eye contact" Kind of strange is all. :)

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I definetely haven't noticed that at all where I am, upstate NY. In fact, for some reason it seems people are pretty friendly lately :) Maybe it's me, because I always try to make eye contact and smile and be the first person to say hello when I pass someone. I think it rubs off!

Today is my "revive old threads' day . :chuckle

I had actually totally forgotten about this thread. :p

I've recently started volunteering at a LT facility and I've made up my mind to acknowledge everyone who walks by me and makes some kind of eye contact. Even if its accidental..... and you can always tell can't you. It looks something like a double take. What they really want to do is ignore you but they got caught and they're now forced to look back so it doesn't look rude. :rotfl:

I find that hilarious myself.

Z

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It's a societal thing.

Used to be that we all knew our neighbors, we waved at strangers, and we made eye contact and obliged with 'Howdy, how are you?' or some form of greeting.

The decline in all these other interpersonals makes eye contact interpersonal also.

If you want to ask, why? Well that could be a heck of a research paper. My take: When we became a 2 income society, we became just too darn busy for niceties. Our 24/7 society so overworks most of us that any moment of time to ourselves, is ours and ours alone! This btw, is the same reason why we are a prozac nation: I just don't think we were designed for the pace of life we now set. And that pace has its price.

It's a side effect of modern society: eye contact takes a social investment that most people just aren't willing (or they don't have enough emotional reserve) to expend anymore.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
I've noticed something a little amusing at my campus. My school is mixture of med students, physio, nursing and the newest degree... health sciences. All this attatched to the hospital where we all do our clinicals. We do a lot of walking from hospital to school and in the halls as well.

I noticed, literally in passing them in the halls that hospital staff, MED students and doctors BIGTIME and many nursing students, don't look at anyone (me) in the eye or if they do, they look away quickly. :uhoh21: I'm not scary looking that's for sure, and I'm certainly not going to start chatting them up. I'm in as much a hurry as the next guy. Has anyone an explanation to this? Do they actually chant to themselves "Don't make eye contact..don't make eye contact" Kind of strange is all. :)

Do you make a point of saying hello to them? I am one of the people who don't intentionally make eye contact, but if someone says hello, I do look at them when I return the greeting. As for why I don't make eye contact, I'd say it is overcompensation for wanting to make sure I don't violate anyone's personal space (because I really hate it when others violate mine).

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
It's a societal thing.

Used to be that we all knew our neighbors, we waved at strangers, and we made eye contact and obliged with 'Howdy, how are you?' or some form of greeting.

The decline in all these other interpersonals makes eye contact interpersonal also.

If you want to ask, why? Well that could be a heck of a research paper. My take: When we became a 2 income society, we became just too darn busy for niceties. Our 24/7 society so overworks most of us that any moment of time to ourselves, is ours and ours alone! This btw, is the same reason why we are a prozac nation: I just don't think we were designed for the pace of life we now set. And that pace has its price.

It's a side effect of modern society: eye contact takes a social investment that most people just aren't willing (or they don't have enough emotional reserve) to expend anymore.

~faith,

Timothy.

hmmmmmm... glad I live where I do. Genuine smiles and eyecontact greetings are the norm here. Why, ppl you don't even know still wave at you from their cars as they pass you. Here it would be considered highly rude to NOT acknowledge another's presence.. and I don't mean simply eye contact, either. It is accompanied with a "hi there", "hey there", G'morning", "hi","howdy".. whatever.

Z.......... I love your goal above.. do it !

TRAIN those rude suckers how to act !!! :D :D :D

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Do you make a point of saying hello to them? I am one of the people who don't intentionally make eye contact, but if someone says hello, I do look at them when I return the greeting. As for why I don't make eye contact, I'd say it is overcompensation for wanting to make sure I don't violate anyone's personal space (because I really hate it when others violate mine).

I make sure I say hello now! :) Or hi. Whichever. But yes I do say something.

I do understand your personal space theory. Good observation :D

Z

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

A real interesting thread....and frankly I'm feeling a little better now!

I've noticed over the last year or so, that I don't make eye contact like I used to or want to.

I am very big on non verbal's, you know, body language. And I find myself not looking at one of the most important parts....the face!

Now, for some excuses...I am for the most, a bit on the shy side, especially when I am uncomfortable for some reason, or if I don't know someone.

Also, in surgery, and other may be able to back me on this...we are used to looking at what we are doing, charting or prepping for example, and still talking to someone else. Also for me, I work part time at a radio station, and I am used to talking to a microphone, to someone else who is also talking into a mic., or talking to someone that's not even in the same room or building, so eye contact is not an issue.

Based on that, I think that's one reason I do it.

I also agree, that it's a society thing nowadays. And it is true (isn't it) that eye contact in some cultures is agressive. Hmmmmm. Food for thought!

Mike

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