First Impression

When we meet someone for the first time, it's frequently similar to how we can tell if we like or dislike a certain dish based on our first bite and whether we'd like to eat it again. We can form an opinion or impression of a person based on their appearance, how they are dressed, how they speak, and their manner at first glance. We may also create an opinion about a person based on his or her demeanor. And we could tell right away whether we liked or disliked that person based on our observations. We could discern whether or not we wanted to be friends with that individual. And here's the thing: while we are forming an impression of the person, they are also doing the same about us.

The first impression is crucial because it can influence how we treat others and how they treat us. As the phrase goes, "first impressions last," and making a positive first impression will influence how we create relationships with others. If you are someone who works really hard to secure a job, it is critical to make a strong first impression on an interviewer. Our success is usually determined by our first impression.

Let's take a look at some areas where we may improve in order to make a positive and lasting impression.

Physical appearance

The way we look has a major effect on how others perceive us. It may sound harsh, but how people treat us is often determined by our appearance. We all form impressions of someone based on their appearance, whether we admit it or not. It may seem unfair, but if you look decent, dress smartly, and carry yourself with dignity, people will respect you more than if you appear unkempt.

This is something I can personally attest to. I don't generally dress up when I go to the market to buy supplies or occasionally to the supermarket to buy groceries, for two reasons: first, the market is only a few kilometers away from us, so dressing up is a hassle, and second, I don't feel like dressing up when I'm only going to the market. People at the market would usually call me 'ate', a Filipino word that literally means older sister. Instead of assisting me, a baggage guy once inquired why I didn't ask my husband to assist me in carrying the stuff I had purchased, which was the most irritating thing I had ever heard while at the market. I was also least prioritized. However, when I'm dressed up or wearing something that explicitly says what my profession is, people treat me differently; instead of calling me 'ate', they call me 'ma'am' or 'madam'. I was always welcomed cordially and given priority, and they thanked me once I paid my bill.

See how our physical appearance affects people's perceptions of us. So it is really important to always mind our appearance. Dress according to the situation or occasion, always wear a warm smile and maintain good hygiene. It doesn't matter whether we are wearing old or inexpensive clothes as long as it is neat and we wear it with dignity.

The Way We Speak

Even now, the old adage "action speaks louder than words" is true. The words we use reveal a lot about who we are as individuals. If I meet someone for the first time and they love cussing and using derogatory language, I am unlikely to associate with them again. Because our words serve as a window through which others can see what we are really like, we should aim to make that view delightful! Something that people would want to look at again and again.

When one of my coworkers told me that her initial impression of me is that I am unapproachable and a snob, I felt compelled to write about it. She even thought I was arrogant and snobby. I wasn't hurt and didn't take it personally; instead, I told her I'm used to it and she's not the first person to have such first impression of me,

People have always thought of me as a snob due of my demeanor since I was a child. I'm not sure why they think of me that way. Maybe because I don't easily smile. But it's mostly because I'm shy that I find it difficult to socialize with people I don't know and not close with. However, they invariably misinterpret it as being unapproachable, snobbish and worst, rude. When people get to know me better and see the real me however, they'll tell me that first impressions don't always last. I may look snobby at first, but once they get to know me, I can be the most talkative and annoying person they've met.