It's all in the EYES...

Here is more I have found from the book titled "Reading Between the Signs"...

Eye Gaze

Maintaining eye contact is a very important part of deaf communication. It was (and still is) one of the hardest parts for me to remember. It is very rude to break eye contact, look away, gaze at the floor, etc. when in a conversation with a deaf person. But this does not come naturally to hearing people.

Let’s consider this. When two hearing people are conversing, there is usually eye contact at the start of the conversation. Somewhere along the way, one or both of the parties tend to glance away, check their watch, turn away in response to a noise heard, etc. Toward the end of the conversation, eye contact is re-established for the ending dialogue.

When we experience less or more eye contact than is customary, we tend to react emotionally. If someone is starting at the floor constantly, we can feel ignored, irritated, or suspicious. If someone is staring at us intently, we feel “put on the spot” or nervous. The speaker can become quite self-conscious.

Did you know that downcast eyes are considered respectful in Japanese and Indonesian cultures, where as Britons and Arabs prefer much more eye contact?

Widening of the eyes

Here is another example of a behavior which elicits a different response depending on the culture. To most Americans, widening of the eyes means wonder or surprise. If you were Chinese, it would signify anger. Be careful in France, as it is a symbol of a challenge. For Latinos, it is a plea for help and for African Americans it is typically a sign of innocence. For Deaf people, it can be viewed differently – mostly as a way to enhance the intensity of the sign.

So the moral of the story - when chatting with a deaf person, remember to maintain eye contact with them in a natural way so the person signing to you feels they have your full attention...