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Eye Contact

When speaking to someone it is generally considered acceptable to maintain direct eye contact.
Those in positions of lesser status, for example, children or anyone who feels they are of lower status may not look at you out of respect. This is also found in cross-cultural exchanges that are influenced by the apartheid past.
Direct eye contact is common and expected among adults. Often times when children are spoken to by adults, they will avoid eye contact. This used to be considered respectful by elders, but this tradition is no longer held true in all places.
Children may avoid eye contact with foreigners because they are shy or scared as they are not used to seeing people who look different from them. They also avoid eye contact when being reprimanded by an elder or person of authority.
As a visitor, you should make eye contact whenever possible.

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