National· August 16, 2026 at 03:42 a.m.
Understanding Appropriate Eye Contact in Conversations
Key takeaways
- A new guide offers insights on eye contact during conversations
- Experts suggest brief, intermittent eye contact is appropriate
- Body language expert Patti Wood explains the importance of eye contact
A new guide offers insights on how much eye contact is appropriate during conversations, addressing a common social dilemma. The advice comes from experts at CNN.
According to the report, maintaining consistent eye contact can be perceived as aggressive or intimidating, while avoiding it completely may signal disinterest or dishonesty.
The guide suggests that a good rule of thumb is to make brief, intermittent eye contact, allowing for occasional breaks to avoid discomfort.
In an interview with CNN, body language expert Patti Wood explained that maintaining eye contact helps build trust and shows attentiveness. However, she cautioned against overdoing it as it can be overwhelming.
The guide also notes that cultural differences may influence the acceptable level of eye contact in various social settings.
Moving forward, understanding appropriate eye contact can help improve communication skills and foster stronger relationships.





