latin american cultures as well as some African cultures such as nigeria have longer looking time but prolonged eye contact from an individual of lower status is considered disrespectful. in the US it is considered rude to stare-regardless of who is looking at whom. in contrast the polite englishman is taught to pay strict attention to a speaker to listen carefully and to blink his eyes to let the speaker know he or she has been understood as well as heard. American signal interest and comprehension by bobbing their heads or grunting