People closing their eyes or blinking rapidly as they talk

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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I have always noticed some people do this but recently it seems to be more common. I find it more prevalent amongst women or effeminate men. When you're speaking to someone and making eye contact, they close their eyes (not squeezed closed but enough for the eyelid to just about cover the eyeball), or they blink rapidly to the point where their eyes might as well be closed. It's as if they want to avoid eye contact and it's only when they talk too. If they're silent, they make normal eye contact.

Is there a name for this? Is there any documentation on it? It has usually been a sign to me that the person is bull****ing but I'm not so sure now.

Anyone else know what I'm talking about?
 
my sisters bf does this when he talks to people he doesn't know, I think its a nervous thing. not sure if it has a name. I thought it was annoying to start with, but its not his fault so you cant really blame them.
 
Girl I know does this, sort of strains her eyes closed slightly when talking to me. Think it could be a nervous thing or maybe they just want to bang you.
 
I hated this for ages! Drove me insane, almost to the point of saying "Just look at me!".

Until I met a new friend recently who did it, he said he doesn't think about it, but helps him compose what he wants to say and can't help it.

After in depth conversation about it, with me staring at his eye lids for the best part of a hour, I understood where he was coming from.

It's like nervous people fiddling with a phone whilst talking to you, or something along those lines.

He now looks me in the eye like normal now he has come to know me.

So yea, when I see someone do it now, I never pass judgment, just go on the quality of the conversation.
 
Can’t say I’ve seen it very often. Probably had a nasty experience when kids or are just trying to hide something and are as guilty as hell. It's odd.
 
agnes said:
I hated this for ages! Drove me insane, almost to the point of saying "Just look at me!".

Until I met a new friend recently who did it, he said he doesn't think about it, but helps him compose what he wants to say and can't help it.

After in depth conversation about it, with me staring at his eye lids for the best part of a hour, I understood where he was coming from.

It's like nervous people fiddling with a phone whilst talking to you, or something along those lines.

He now looks me in the eye like normal now he has come to know me.

So yea, when I see someone do it now, I never pass judgment, just go on the quality of the conversation.
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this. a lot of people are nervous people judge them if they say something wrong, so they do something to focus on, which stops them worrying about what they are saying. generally I think its a nerves thing, so if you take the time to get to know the person, you will find it gets less and less and eventually stops.
 
I often notice it with people who are particularly condescending. Often teachers, but not necessarily linked to the condescending bit. I find it annoying either way.
 
i do this, unfortunately its horrible in interviews when i know im doing it but i just get nervous

its definately a nerves thing
 
Jonny69 said:
I often notice it with people who are particularly condescending. Often teachers, but not necessarily linked to the condescending bit. I find it annoying either way.
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Yes! There's an old tool I work with who does this every time he talks down to someone.

I don't judge people who do it. A lot of them are lovely people. I'm just intrigued by it and was wondering if it's a sign of anything in particular.
 
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