How to Maintain Eye Contact

First impressions make a big difference in how one is in treated socially. The ability to make and maintain eye contact is one of the most important physical gestures an individual can make in order to positively influence their social group.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Make eye contact as soon as you are introduced to a new person in the social setting. The willingness to look someone directly in the eye lets them know you don't suffer from a sense of inadequacy.
2. Listen to what the person is saying to you closely. By remaining attentive to what a person is saying it becomes easier to show interest in what it is they are discussing.
3. Asses the speaker's ability to return eye contact to make sure he or she is remaining engaged in the conversation.
4. Pay attention to how other groups of the social circle are behaving in order to gage the success of the social interchange. The ability to maintain eye contact is important but not at the expense of social harmony, particularly in the case of an aggressive personality.
5. Release eye contact when the direct conversation has passed. Also, if your conversational partner appears uncomfortable, do not maintain eye contact.