We usually interpret someone looking us straight in the eye during an interaction as asign of trustworthiness. This is at least the case in the Western world.
But research is increasingly challenging this standard view. In a competitive environment where a negotiation is taking place 
looking at another person directly in the eye can be a sign of competition and unkindness, rather than kindness.
While folk wisdom tells us eye contact is a sign of honesty and trustworthiness, these findings were not a surprise. Animals have direct eye contact not before engaging in kind behaviors but rather immediately before an attack. We humans seem to be carrying on this tradition by looking our opponent directly in the eye before we "attack".
What does this mean for the work place? In a competitive business environment, when taking part in negotiations or a business deal, for example, be aware that people who look you directly in the eye may not be as friendly as you think. In many Asian cultures, for example, looking a person of higher status in the eye is a sign of disrespect, while looking away signals respect.
And this must be fully understood. This means they most likely don't apply to social environments, such as spending time with friends, family or loved ones. In these cases, direct eye contact, often referred to as a "gaze", can still be a sign of intimacy (亲密) and kindness.
A. This may help you understand eye contact much better.
B. Eye contact is a sign of challenge and threat from another.
C. The study led by Jennifer Jordan shows quite the opposite.
D. All the experiments took place in a competitive environment.
E. We use eye contact as a marker of intimacy and straightforwardness.
F. Actually it can be rather upsetting when someone avoids eye contact.
G. If you want to express honesty and reliability, direct eye contact may indicate the opposite.
