The ConsumHERist - Giving Her the Eye

Posted on | May 14, 2008 |

By Delia Passi 

I realize that some women don’t wear makeup, but given the number who do, and the amount of time and money we spend on eye makeup, it would appear we are more than a little interested in getting some attention to our eyes.  So why is it that when we are in front of a salesperson, we so often feel that we can’t get the eye contact that makes us feel important, respected and valued? 

It doesn’t seem like a lot to ask, but sometimes a little more eye contact would go a long way with women customers, or women friends for that matter, guys.  (For those men who are uncertain, the eyes are the two round things in her head.)  Give women eye contact and they will feel you are taking some interest in them as a person, which is important in her decision on who to work with or buy from or to talk to.  

I know that some people, male and female, have some hangup about eye contact, and find it difficult to look people in the eye regardless of the circumstances.  Maybe it’s some issue with vulnerability, confidence or self-esteem.  Well, if you are going to make a decent living in a sales or service profession, you better get over it, especially if you are working a lot with women.  And who doesn’t work at least sometimes with women?  Men’s room attendants are about all I can think of offhand. 

Don’t worry about which eye to look at either, although I would advise against looking back and forth from one to the other.  That can be distracting.  I’ve heard people say they look at the bridge of the nose to kind of split the difference but that’s just kind of weird.  The eye has so much to say it would be a shame to miss it.

Next week:  Bobblehead

 Delia Passi, Founder of WomenCertified® and author of Winning the Toughest Customer: The Essential Guide to Selling to Women is a regular columnist on eBrandMarketing. Want my take? Email me and visit my sites www.deliapassi.com, www.womencertified.com

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