Do you really have to look while listening?

By not looking at the person who is talking to you would give an impression that you are not listening or not interested in anything being told. Besides, its a norm in society and doing otherwise is considered rude. If that's your parents who are talking, would you like to be seen or known as rude and be given a rude response in return. If it would make you unhappy it is for others too. Good topic. Thanks!

Looking someone directly into their eyes when speaking or listening shows respect for the speaker or listener and extreme confidence. Someone that is looking away is more susceptible to distractions and more likely not to catch every word and most of the time will ask you to either repeat what you said or reiterate it in a way that is more understandable because they weren't focusing to start with.

In a way it is a sign that the person doing the talking really cares about the rher other person, and the issue(s) involved. A person passing a message, or giving instructions without looking at the person meant to receive the information, would appear to be unconcerned with the whole thing. He or she can be seen as just doing what is necessary without the heart in it. Whatever happens next is none of his/her concern since he/she seems to have taken the hands off. The person listening would probably feel inferior, neglected, and insignificant in the speaker's eyes. This can lead to a lower self-esteem and loss of confidence. In general being looked at while spoken to, even under a mild scolding, can raise some confidence and determination to be better in life.

yes it shows that we are listening .if we are interested in some particular topic instead of avoiding at least see there face so that they feel that u are listening.

That is a kind of respect to people who talk to you, if you look at somewhere else, who know that you are actually listening to what they said. It's a two ways communication, we need to response to somebody's question.

I don't think that is true, but it is a respectful thing to do. I have listened attentively and talked at the same time,i even repeated what was being said just to make the person who thought that i was no listening mad,so it is very possible to listen while not looking.

I find that if you look at someone while you are talking...or listening it shows you are paying attention and also directs your words to someone specific. I have a friend who always NEEDS me to face her while i talk. Shes partially deaf - hearing her speak you wouldnt know it - but she lip reads to make up for what she misses in her hearing. If you arent facing her she misses alot of what you say.

When being told something, I prefer to have the person looking at me because their eye contact and body movements can tell you way more than just the words they are saying. However, that is just me. I am an eye contact person.

i think it's a sign of respect in a way.people would love to see your face when you are talking to them,right? let's say you are talking to them and yet they are not facing you,it's like disrespecting them in a way.unless you are doing together something really important.i think you can understand that.but you'll know when the person is really disrespecting you if they don't respond or is it like they don't really want to talk to you.

I think it's basic courtesy to look at someone while he is talking because in doing so, you are showing that you are interested in what he is saying and that you are taking it seriously. This is my weakness at times and my boss called my attention about it actually. :) She said it doesn't look good and the other person won't feel good about it if you don't look at him while talking to him. He may interpret it as you being rude even though it isn't your intention to be rude.

Blind people couldn't see but they could listen very well. If you have both the sight and hearing intact then better to use them together to your advantage.

I think it is a matter of good manners more than anything, people consider it to be rude not to do it, so we avoid it if we can and don't like others "being rude" to us either. But you are right, it would be interesting to find out where and when this policy was decided, it is really not so important that you look at people while you talk if you think about it!