25233: Raber (reply) Re: 25206: Davis (reply) to Severe , Kathleen 25162: (fwd) eye contact (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: PM Raber <raber88@zoominternet.net>

Could this behavior be a remnant of the days when African centuries ago
shared havitat range and had to avoid being attacked by other creatures like
Gorillas or large cats?   When visiting modern Gorilla exhibits tourists are
advised to avoid staring them in the eyes or facing them with a full frontal
stance as these are signs of confrontational behaviors.  Staring many large
mammals (Bears included) in the eye is perceived as aggressive behavior by
the animals.  Our ancestors would have known this well and used this
knowledge when hunting or when being hunted.   Could this have been a way to
teach their children survival?  Another question:  Were slaved punished for
looking their master in the eye?