When they dont look at you when they speak …

[Gabriella Geramia]

Is it possible that you could be trying very hard to listen and it makes you look too serious/intense?

It's hard to know why people do what they do though. You mentioned that it has happened with other people. I wonder if each person even has their own reasons?

[amil23]

I'm with GrandviewGloria. Where I was raised the eye-stabbing thing was the same. Don't do it! Then add on top being extremely shy and even past 70 I have to shake myself and purposely stare at people when I'm talking to them which probably seems even more weird.
Once I'm comfortable around a person I still stare off into space to find the right words to convey my thoughts to others and only then look them in the eye to make sure they know I'm not trying to be rude.
Different social interactions for different areas I guess.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by cb2008

This happened to me today, but this is not the first time. I walked into this yoga class for the first time and the instructor, white male, was there already. We introduced ourselves and chatted a bit. Another woman walked in intros all around again. Then I asked the instructor a specific question. He explained at length but only facing the new woman, he did not meet my eyes even once. This has happened to me before with other white men, they will only talk to the white woman who also happens to be present even when they are answering a specific question that I asked. I will ask another question, same thing. It is as if I am not there. I am not white.
My husband who is same ethnicity as me, has never experienced this.
What is going on here? If you are a woman and not white has this happened to you? If you are a white male do you recognize this?

How odd. When he was talking to you before the other woman showed up, was he looking at you?

I don't understand not looking at someone while talking to them. I do, but have found many people are not comfortable with that because they don't want to have to look you back in the face.
Don't take it personally, CB. He's a flaky yoga guy.