Deborah Tannen in particular has done quite a bit of research around the topic of gender and conversation. https://mtprof.msun.edu/Fall1995/shellen.html
>Without something to look at, people have to look at the each other. With that comes a lot of subconscious (and conscious) reading into reactions. Pauses in the conversation are awkward because you’re just staring at each other.
As an introverted person who overthinks and often avoids eye contact and body language, I usually stay away from social events not tied to something specific. But enjoy the ones tied to a specific interest, like a museum. I now have a better understanding of why.
raddan•9mo ago