Stop looking down - look at me so as I can see your face

 T

he face is the center of gravity in any conversation. "Face to face" first and foremost reflects a principle of mutual consideration that implies reciprocal attention, unless it's inconveniencing the person receiving nothing in return. We resent people who don't look us in the face when addressing us. Individuals constantly orient their words and movements to what they perceive in their interlocutors' facial expressions, gestures, speech, voice and gaze.

The face embodies the morality of interaction, its nakedness on show, its expressiveness sometimes poorly concealing mishaps or mutual satisfaction. It is not a body part like others, but stands out by its position, its value, its eminence in communication and, above all, the sense of identity attached to it.