There is reference above to looking into one’s eyes and confidence and that may be directed to my response on the question of self-consciousness, so I’ll pipe in here. In my opinion, eye contact is the proper method to acknowledge another person. When we first meet, I will make eye contact with you, IF you let me. It is an acknowledgement and forms a connection. If you don’t make eye contact and start talking to me, I’ll be looking over my shoulder wondering who the hell you are talking to. Eyes are very revealing and I respect your privacy so if I detect any uneasiness, I’m not going to stare you down . That’s plain rude and comes across as an attempt to intimidate and dominate, which I have no interest in, whatsoever. If there is a connection and we become friendly and you share personal stories and anecdotes and open up to me and I’m receptive, I expect we will have eye contact and there will be little to no reservation in doing so. We have all heard the saying that eyes are the window to one’s being (“soul” purposely not used lest someone try to spin this into a religious debate tangent) and I find that very true. When you share a story of sadness, I will see the sadness in your eyes. If you share a story of your kid that made you proud, I will see a genuine sparkle in your eyes. And if you are bullshitting me, I’m very good at picking that up, as well. Is eye contact a form of intimacy? Yes. Does your gender make any difference? No. Does it mean I’m trying to get you to fall in love with me or go to bed with me? No, under my current circumstances (I am taken and madly in love, thank you) and certainly not necessarily under other circumstances. Do I generally like and respect people and do I enjoy making new friends and like connecting and bonding with people with whom I share opinions or experiences or passions or whatever? Absolutely. Its what keeps my faith in what is good and possible in human beings despite all the news stories to the contrary and all the fucked up madness in this world.