Steven Pinker

The dominant stares at the subordinate who looks away, which is, by the way, also true in humans.

Don't make eye contact.

People walk with their head down.

That was the first thing I was told when I came to New York City as a kid.

We were on the subway and they said, whatever you do, do not make eye contact.

Yeah.

As in, you looking at me?

Well, the anthropologist Irv DeVore used to tell his class, if two human beings look into each other's eyes anywhere on Earth for more than six seconds, then either they're going to have sex or one of them is going to kill the other one.

That is so true.

There you go.

Oh, my gosh.

That is true.

It's true.

So why is this so uncomfortable?

I mean, even, like, I don't mind making eye contact, especially with a person who's decent looking.

I've got to tell you, when somebody's unattractive, it's tough.

I'm just saying.

It is rough to look at somebody who is not attractive and maintain eye contact.

But prolonged eye contact, and I don't know if it's just me, but I'm just going to put it out there.

I'm going to be honest.