THE MIND’S CANVAS 183In embarrassing situations, onlookers may avert their eyes out of cour-
tesy. Never assume that a downward gaze is a sign of deception.
In all cultures in which it has been studied, science validates that
those who are dominant have more freedom in using eye-gaze behavior.
In essence, these individuals are entitled to look wherever they want.
Subordinates, however, are more restricted in where they can look and
when. Humility dictates that in the presence of royalty, as in church,
heads are bowed. As a general rule, dominants tend to ignore subordi-
nates visually while subordinates tend to gaze at dominant individuals at
a distance. In other words, higher-status individuals can be indifferent
while lower-status persons are required to be attentive with their gaze.
The king is free to look at anyone he wants; but all subjects face the king,
even as they back out of a room.
Many employers have told me that they dislike it during an interview
when applicants’ eyes are wandering all over the room “as though they
own the place.” Because roving eyes make a person look disinterested or
superior, doing so always leaves a bad impression. Even if you are at-
tempting to ascertain whether or not you would like to work there, you
will likely never get the chance if your eyes do not focus on the person
speaking during a job interview.
Eye-Blink / Eye-Flutter BehaviorOur blink rate increases when we are aroused, troubled, nervous, or
concerned, and it returns to normal when we are relaxed. A series of
rapid eye blinks may reflect an inner struggle. For instance, if someone
says something we don’t like, we may actually flutter our eyelids. Simi-
larly, we might also do so if we are having trouble expressing ourselves
in a conversation (see box 51). Eyelid flutter is very much indicative of
a struggle either with our performance or with the delivery or accep-
tance of information. Perhaps more than any other actor, British actor
Hugh Grant uses eyelid flutter to communicate that he is befuddled,
nonplussed, struggling, or otherwise in trouble.
Students of nonverbal communication often note how President