I never knew people looked each other in the eyes when taling until I was in my 20s. I never looked at people in the eyes while talking and yet I made so many friends and friendships that lasted long. To me it was not a thing so I never felt a psychological defeat because nobody ever told me I was "wrong". Even today it feels weird to me and it feels like the weirdos are those that look me too much.

Point is, consider if this looking people in the eyes is something really worth investing on: maybe not looking at people is your thing and you're fine that way too? Why you have to be wrong? Maybe it's the others that are doing the uncomfortable thing for others and are wrong.