New research is shedding light on how the simple act of maintaining eye contact reveals far more about your confidence, self-esteem, and social intelligence than most realize, according to recent psychology findings summarised in a July 2025 report by VegOut Magazine. Drawing from extensive interviews with psychologists and peer-reviewed studies, the article uncovers eight core areas where gaze behavior provides insight into personal assurance, social anxiety, and even intercultural competence, offering practical lessons for Thais navigating workplace, family, and public interactions.
Thailand, like many societies, places a premium on subtle social signals, and the art of eye contact plays a crucial role in both professional and personal settings. In job interviews, business negotiations, or even casual encounters at a local market, the brief moments when eyes meet can signal trustworthiness or uncertainty, openness or discomfort. “We size each other up in milliseconds, and the first data our brains grab are the eyes,” the report explains, noting that a relaxed, steady gaze broadcasts openness, warmth, and confidence before a word is spoken. Conversely, jittery or fleeting eye contact often whispers hesitancy, self-doubt, or even deception.
One of the most compelling findings reviewed is the concept of “social anchors” – the idea that calm, soft eye contact helps stabilize conversations in much the same way a boat’s keel steadies it on water. Psychological studies cited in the article reveal that confident communicators use eye contact like skilled writers use punctuation: offering short, intentional pauses, renewed focus, and gentle release as they speak. Those struggling with confidence or high anxiety tend to scan the environment or check their phones, unintentionally signaling distraction or lack of self-assurance.
Thai readers familiar with the nuances of face-to-face communication will appreciate the research from Finland, which used high-resolution eye tracking to examine how “cone of direct gaze” – the visual angle in which one perceives someone as looking directly at them – relates to self-esteem. The narrower this cone, the more likely an individual is to require precise eye-to-eye alignment to feel seen, a pattern correlated with lower self-esteem and greater loneliness. People who tolerate a wider range of gaze direction, not interpreting minor shifts as rejection, tend to display greater confidence and self-trust. For practical improvement, researchers recommend group exercises that reinforce the idea connection can persist even when everyone isn’t looking dead-center into each other’s eyes.
Equally pertinent to Thai society, where humility and deference are often expressed through subtle body language, is the discussion on social anxiety. Studies consistently reveal that individuals with higher anxiety tend to break eye contact almost reflexively, often within a single second. This avoidance is rooted in the brain’s threat-monitoring circuits and perpetuates a cycle where avoidance feeds anxiety, and anxiety further reduces confidence. Mental health professionals now employ “gaze exposure” techniques, encouraging patients to hold their own gaze in a mirror or time short eye contact exchanges with friends. Each successful attempt gradually calms neural fear responses and builds tolerance, offering an accessible route for Thais to strengthen confidence in stressful social or professional contexts.
The practical advice extends beyond in-person interaction. Simple tweaks to digital communications – such as aligning talking points next to a webcam or practicing brief glances at one’s camera during video meetings – have measurable effects on perceived competence and trust. A virtual financial adviser study, cited in the VegOut report, found that avatar “eye contact” led users to rate the adviser as more trustworthy and competent, even though the advice remained unchanged. This is especially relevant given the rise of remote work in Thailand and the growing use of online platforms for learning, business, and socializing.
Experts corroborate these observations. A behavioral specialist writing for Verywell Mind notes that, “People who keep a consistent, unhurried gaze are flagged as more trustworthy and intelligent.” However, they caution that intensity must be modulated: staring too long can seem hostile or flirtatious, whereas darting eyes can trigger subconscious distrust. The ideal, according to data-backed guidelines, is about three-to-five seconds of eye contact while speaking, shorter while listening, with natural blinks and nods. In Thai communal culture, where face-saving and group harmony are paramount, cautious recalibration of gaze can enable more relaxed, authentic connection without crossing social boundaries. Filming oneself recounting a story and analyzing eye movement patterns is a recommended way to develop smoother, more confident gaze habits.
What may be surprising to many is that the act of eye contact doesn’t simply convey confidence—it can also generate it. Neuroscientific evidence shows that mutual gaze activates dopamine pathways in the brain linked to reward and social motivation, actually fueling self-assurance in the moment. Before important presentations, therapists and communication coaches suggest “priming” oneself by locking eyes briefly with a supportive colleague or even one’s own reflection to trigger this neurological reward system, making confident engagement feel natural rather than forced.
Of course, confident eye contact must be culturally calibrated. In Thailand and many other Asian societies, protocols around deference to seniors, monks, and persons of authority dictate that prolonged, direct eye contact can be seen as disrespectful. The VegOut article emphasizes the importance of adapting to cultural norms, suggesting a general rule of around 70% eye contact while talking, 50% while listening, and remaining attentive to the recipient’s comfort signals—such as brow softness, head nods, and eye movements. If unsure, experts advise defaulting to shorter glances complemented by verbal affirmations (“ฉันเข้าใจ”, or “I hear you”) to convey engagement without risking offense. This approach also echoes traditional Thai communication style, which values harmony and emotional subtlety.
Further, the concept of mental rehearsal, familiar to elite athletes, can be directly applied to speech and eye contact. Visualization techniques, wherein individuals picture themselves holding calm, steady gazes while speaking, activate the same brain circuits as real experiences, building “muscle memory” for effective eye contact. This is increasingly relevant as Thais compete for jobs in a globalizing economy and prepare for interviews, presentations, and negotiations in both Thai and international contexts.
These findings also carry implications for Thai education and child-rearing. While globalization is slowly shifting attitudes, Thai children are often taught to lower their gaze in deference to elders, teachers, and authority figures. Parents and educators now face a delicate balance: teaching respect for tradition without depriving children of the social self-efficacy required for peer interaction, leadership, and successful transitions into multinational workplaces. As one Thai school administrator commented in an interview with a local education magazine, “We want students to feel confident speaking up, but also to respect the social context. Practicing eye contact within appropriate settings can help bridge this gap.” Bangkok Post.
Looking ahead, the growing emphasis on effective communication in Thai society is driving fresh interest in nonverbal skills, including the art and science of eye contact. Thai HR professionals are integrating body language coaching into staff training, while mental health specialists are incorporating gaze exposure exercises into counseling sessions for social anxiety and confidence-building. Rapid expansion of video conferencing in schools and businesses, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, further highlights the need for intentional, culturally sensitive approaches to digital eye contact.
For readers seeking to strengthen their own presence, the advice is clear: start by consciously lengthening your eye contact by small increments—even extending a glance by just 10 percent per week. Remind yourself that slight shifts in gaze are not signs of rejection, and anchor your speech with a calm, steady look. In Thai workplace and family settings, try practicing gentle eye triangles—moving between each of the other person’s eyes and their mouth, returning periodically to the eyes. The result, say psychologists, is not just improved social perception, but genuinely increased confidence and a feedback loop that makes future interactions even smoother.
Finally, while eye contact is just one component of communication, it is a powerful—and adaptable—tool. Gaze habits are shaped by both biology and culture but can be strengthened through mindful practice, supporting both traditional Thai values and the needs of a rapidly modernizing society.
For those interested in more practical exercises or deeper scientific background, further reading is recommended from sources such as Psychology Today, Verywell Mind, and scholarly articles on eye-tracking and nonverbal communication VegOut Magazine.