The Body Language of Business Gaze
Cue: Business Gaze
Synonym(s): N/A
Description: An eye pattern where the eyes never leave the face and spend the majority of the time between the forehead and the eyes, never below. Eye contact in a business gaze is held about 80-90% of the total time when it involves men and women and two women, but when two men speak the rate drops to 60-70% of the time.
In One Sentence: The business gaze happens when the eyes remain above the level of the chin so as to remain non-sexual.
How To Use it: Use the business gaze to create solid business relationship and avoid muddying the waters with sexual feelings. The business gaze is also best used between male and female friends to avoid misconceptions about the relationship intended.
Context: Business
Verbal Translation: “I want to keep this business in nature, so I’m keeping my eyes above chin level so as not to appear sexually interested.”
Variant: See Staring or The Evil Eye, Downcast Eyes or Eyes Down, Eye Aversion, Gaze Avoidance and Wandering Eyes, Face Gaze, Friendly Social Gaze, Gaze Omission, Intimate Gaze (The) or Triangular Gaze Pattern.
Cue In Action: When meeting over lunch, Mark and Debbie kept their eyes on each other’s faces despite a strong chemistry between the two.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Gaze patterns often define the context through duration and pattern. If the eyes travel below the face to other parts of the body they signal a person’s desire to explore the possibilities of a sexual relationship. Where eyes look signal what the mind thinks. If business is kept professional, then eyes will be kept on the face alone and not travel to other parts of the body or only briefly out of curiosity. If eyes travel frequently to the breast, chest, shoulders, crotch or rear end, then there is a sexual message attached.
Gaze duration in a business setting also has meaning. If eye contact between men and women is any less than 80-90% it means that both sexes are disinterested. On the other hand, if gaze is held too long amongst men, it is read as aggression, or if too short, as a lack of confidence or shiftiness. If the eyes begin to wander from the face to other parts of the body it is read as sexual interest.
Cue Cluster: Various cues will appear while speaking in a business context and will vary depending on the specific context.
Body Language Category: Attentive, Confident, Rapport or rapport building.
Resources:
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