it’s a great technique – pick a pupil and look at it. at conversational distance, especially over a meal, your focal point includes only one eye of your friend and if you’re paying attention, one pupil. most people switch from one pupil to the other intermittently during a conversation, and faster when agitated.

picking a pupil and focusing on it will create the impression that you are paying close attention (even when you’re not! ;-) and that you are confident (again, even when you’re not).

try it.