The eyes

I am not sure when and how these things became "good manner" in our culture. Things like "lower your eyes when you talk to people" to show how polite you are. Or "being shy" as a positive attitude that shows how good your parents raised you. These sort of things. But as long as I remember I have always tried not to look at the eyes of the person who I am talking to. Good or bad I am not trying to judge, this is me. It should not be just a matter of religious cause I remember it since I was a kid and people at that time, I mean almost 30 years ago, where not trying to be "that religious" as they are now.
Imagine how embarrassed I became the first time I noticed every single person in Australia look straight in my eyes when they talk to me. It may sound stupid but I even shivered and trembled when that muscle with his deep-as-ocean blue eyes, spiky hair and smiley face asked me what he could do for me, well he was a cashier in Kmart ! But I had a difficult time! It is hard as it is completely different from what I have done and been told all my life. It is hard to realise that difference as well. Mainly because you are not looking at people while you are talking to them for the first couple of months, probably, and it will take time to notice they are looking at you when they are talking to you! Harder than that is to accept the difference and change your mentality. But whether I like it or not, people here respect confidence. Looking at the eyes is a sign of confidence I never had, or at least this is what I guess. You can't live here and look at the wall or ground when you talk to your colleague. He will think 1) you are crazy 2) you are rude 3) you are insane! No matter how hard you try to convince yourslef that you do not care what people think about you, it will matter how people treat you if you want to socialise with them.