InWesterncultures,maintaingeyecontactinconversationsisnecessary.Asamatteroffact,awesternermightconsideralackofeyecontactasalackofattention.
ButinmanyAsiancultures,avoidingeyecontactshowsrespect.Itisdonewhentalkingwithanyoneinauthorityorwithanyoneolder.
Eyecontactisasubtlething.Avoidingeyecontactmightbeconsideredimpolite,butstaringatothersisalsoconsideredrudeandshouldbeavoided.