In many workplaces outside India, steady eye contact signals honesty, confidence and engagement, and a person who looks down or away while speaking can seem evasive, unsure or even untruthful. In many Indian settings, especially with seniors, teachers, elders and clients, lowering the eyes or looking slightly away is a sign of respect, and speaking up uninvited in front of a senior can feel presumptuous. What you will learn: • Lowered eyes as respect • Hesitation is not dishonesty • The quiet junior and the senior who speaks first • What you can do • Your own eye contact • Address and posture as signals of seniority • Practice: decode the scene • Listening strategies • Self-check questions to test your ear Level: B1–B2. Self-study: listen, then take the quizzes. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.