eye contact

[phycokiller]

just wondering what the Thai take on this is. Ive only noticed over the last couple of years here, for example Ive noticed for a long time bar girls will say " welcome handsome man" or whatever but when i look at them they are looking the opposite way, but theres no one in that direction so I have to assume they are trying to talk to me, or when I walk into a hotel I say hello and they say hello but they are looking about 45 degrees to my side so I assume someone else has walked in behind but when I look theres nobody in that direction so I realize they are talking to me but they have the whole conversation while not looking at me. well maybe Ive got ugly in my older age but i remember being told that in Polynesian society its considered rude to look directly at people you are talking to so Im wondering if its the same in Thailand? anyone else notice this?

[bermondburi]

I never look at them when I'm talking too them, so I wouldn't know.

[CharlieH]

"What Thai take is", and yet you are asking an expat forum?

Moved to the Pub.

[ezzra]

In general, Thais will not look you strait in the eye, it is a habit embedded in their psyche from birth,

just like lying and avoiding the truth and the issue.... looking back at you can be also considered impolite

and conformational act......

[kannot]

I never look at them when I'm talking too them, so I wouldn't know.

i never talk to them only look at them

[h90]

my staff looking at my eyes like anyone in the west would do........

I don't see any difference.

[noise]

Everyone I greet, do business with look me in the eye when we converse. Most people that I pass in door ways look at me as we politely maneuver in and out, And specially if one of us holds the door for the other, eye contact and smiles while thanks are expressed in some manner, even if just a polite nod.

[pgrahmm]

Guessing about 50-50 walking around on the street.....Usually a smile is traded for a smile....

Don't ever recall someone looking away in conversation.....If not agreeing to the point of arguing they can teflon away.....

In many countries the stare can be taken as a challenge - especially among some of the black groups.....

Here, for me, when talking to people eye contact is there....If someone were not talking to me and not making eye contact I'd terminate the effort - obviously they don't/are not interested in talking to me.....They are either distracted or in a polite non verbal way implying go away.....

In Makro this morning the Thais had some nods and smiles.....The farangs = nada.....

[SoiBiker]

Agreed - I usually get a friendly smile back from Thai people, but for some reason farangs tend not to want to meet my gaze.

[NanLaew]

I thought this was going to be a rehash of the perpetual "Why do falangs not acknowledge each other as they pass each other at the mall" thread.

The OP now asserts that the bloody locals are just as bad.

Gutted I am. Totally gutted.

[huawei]

Are you cross- eyed without realising it.

[thrilled]

My take if it's women maybe they believe if the look into your eye maybe they Think you will come on to them.Many Thai women believe

Farang men are wanting sex that's why their in Thailand.The women that are working are doing fine the last thing they want is A horny farang man coming on to them.So for that purpose they don't look you in the eye.Thats my take on the subject.