i literally forgot to type the word "uncomfortable" in that sentence before i edited it in

the struggle of having a broke-ass keyboard

You stay quiet, you're a weirdo asshole.

Talk and you're an offensive asshole.

Even by staying quiet you can be regarded as an offensive asshole. Some may assume you're [insert colorful adjective here] because your opinion is "too good" for them when really you don't see the point in bringing up pointless controversy that will only serve to make more discord if anything. 

This is part of the reason I don't see a point in interacting with other people outside of utility to myself.

Quote from:  on August 15, 2015, 06:52:33 PM

You stay quiet, you're a weirdo asshole.

Talk and you're an offensive asshole.

Even by staying quiet you can be regarded as an offensive asshole. Some may assume you're [insert colorful adjective here] because your opinion is "too good" for them when really you don't see the point in bringing up pointless controversy that will only serve to make more discord if anything. 

This is part of the reason I don't see a point in interacting with other people outside of utility to myself.

I missed that point as well. Third point, too.

God forbid that you don't have much to say on a subject because you don't know much about it or because it just doesn't interest you.

God forbid that you don't have much to say on a subject because you don't know much about it or because it just doesn't interest you.

Right? Even online you run into this problem, especially on a forum space.

These social norms are here for a reason. Looking someone in the eyes or at least at their face means you're actively listening to them.

You can listen to someone without staring directly into their pupils.

Apparently I look like I'm always pissed about something, so a lot of people look away when I try to look them in the eye. I'm usually pretty good at eye contact, though.

I get that a lot, too. It's supposedly pretty intimidating, though I'm an admitted bleeding-heart, so. . .

Normally I'm the one consistently looking people in the eyes and they're the ones looking away.

I usually avoid eye contact with most people at work not because I have a problem with eye contact but because I dislike most of them and from what I've seen ignoring people who you find unpleasant is the best way to deal with them.

It's rude if it seems like you're not paying attention to the person you're trying to talk to

My neutral expression gives me that "Guy who's up to something sneaky and socially unacceptable" look, so rather than make people uncomfortable, or keep my eyes widened, or smile for an uncomfortable amount of time, I just look in their general area when we're speaking. No matter how much I try to change it with mirror practice, I just can't make a comfortable facial expression that doesn't make me look like a shifty cunt.

Should I be maintaining eye contact during conversation, even if it clearly makes people uncomfortable?

When I try to look into the eyes of others at times, they bitch at me to look towards the road.