My Inability To Make Eye Contact Does Not Need To Be ‘Fixed’

[Marr]

53. I've never noticed such a thing myself, but assuming such a trend exists, I think

you could come up with lots of different explanations.

Maybe it's simply a fear of humiliation. I mean-- in my experience, the 'machismo' fixation is something almost class based in North America, and the further down the social hierarchy you go, the more likely you are to encounter it. Which kind of makes sense, if it's about social status. Maybe these men are uncomfortable around another man in situations that aren't native to them. Not knowing the 'right' way to behave, even if it's just a greeting, could seem emasculating.

I don't know-- as I said, I've never observed such a tendency. Just the opposite, in fact. Machismo was pretty big in my diesel mechanic/ construction working family, and the men would pretty mercilessly ridicule you if you *didn't* make eye contact. They considered it a sign of weakness.