Panhandlers use the eyes of prospective donors as a gage to determine if the person is likely to donate money to them or refuse their request. Muggers have reported that they use the eyes of potential victims as an important factor to ascertain fear or a lack of confidence. In social encounters it is virtually impossible to maintain a conversation with someone who does not respond with at least a semblance of eye contact. Studies have shown that when demonstrators and protesters achieve eye contact with the police they are less likely to be treated violently. Research has shown that once two people achieve some form of eye contact the person must be dealt with.
Eye contact forces the recognition of another human being.
Animals have also been observed to use eye contact to size up another threatening creature. Waiters, waitresses, and butlers have been trained to refrain from direct eye contact with those they are serving in order to maintain a social distance from the person. Job interviewers also use eye contact to indicate interest or a lack of interest in the candidate. In society, gazes are used to inform other people of our interest, or concern for them. Social rules dictate whom we can look at, for how long, and when we can look at them.