Evening star., 1933-01-24
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

One Of the commonest faults Of
young men applying for jobs is that
they will not look the person to whom
they are talking in the eye.
His collar, OF his hands, they may
watch, while they are talking, but only
every now and then do they look him
In the face,
They may gaze out the window, or
even down at the floor, Q most humili-
ating attitude for any one at any time.
The plain truth Is that looking an
other human being squarely In the eye
Is . difncut proceeding. at the best.
and at any time or under any circum-
stances.
Yet nothing gives quite the same i'm
preston Of sincerity ~ this simple &C.
ton.
This fact is so generally recognized
that most insincere persons usually
known as -four -flushers') eagerly avail
themselves Of this elementary proceed
ure
No person will look another more
defiantly m the eye than he who
Is trying to put something over" In
fact, he often gives himself away by
the steadiness Of his gaze.
Then there are those persons who
glare at one, just as there are other
men who insist on delivering what
they fondly think IL . sincere hand
clasp, but which Is, In truth, a clumsy
bone affair, devoid of real
hearttness or any genuine approach to
warmth
One Is between the devil and the
deep blue sea, then, in attempting to
look another human being in the eye.
Ordinarily the matter settles itself
among acquaintances. The more cor
dial the understanding. the less atten-
tion one pays to this rule, and the less
need there Is for 1t.
Again, 1t must be admitted that look
ing the other fellow squarely In the eye
is often nothing more than a physical
process. in which some persons are SO
constituted, as to eye formation and
what Is quite difhcult for others
Certain types of animals, for in
stance. have no dificulty in the least in
looking squarely at you, and In keeping
their gaze fixed upon your eyes. 1t
means nothing to them. They are in
capable OF looking any other way.
Fishes and insects can stare one in
the face as well as the most intent
specimen Of high-pressure salesman OF
the old type.
Unless the spirit is behind the pro-
ceeding, there is nothing to it, in
human terms. 1t Is merely another
instance Of physical phenomena.
Unless straight looking IS sincere
looking, it is nothing but trick, mere
optical sound and fury. as 1t were
meaning nothing.
There are individuals who, with the
best intent In the world. find such d.
rect gazing extremely uncomfortable.
This applies not only to youngsters
who are after their nrst job tin times
that try mems souls). but also to thou
sands Of Older persons who in the va
rlous contacts Of daily life. realize the
necessity OF the direct gaze, at least
upon occasion.
The first thing for such persons to
do Is to keep firmly In mind, all the
time they are talking, their own failing
In this respect.
Unless they do this, they will fint
themselves looking at everything and
everybody except the one TO whom they
are speaking.
An intent unwaverins sase is unnec-
essary.
This is not the sort Of thing meant
by looking one in the eye"
Such looking Is only staring.
And staring. whether at . stranger
from . distance. or at some one tc
whom one Is talking. Is a fighting look
Such intensity of gaze defeats its
purpose.
Every once in q while you run into