Your First Impressions
First impressions are never wrong, or so some people believe. I’m inclined to disagree, because we seldom get the opportunity to test our fist impressions and very often we confuse something else with first impressions.
It takes about one tenth of a second to form a first impression and it is formed when we lay eyes on a stranger for the first time. It is based on visual appearance only and is a simple like or a dislike. When you instantly dislike the person, it is because your brain associates his looks with something or somebody that you already dislike. The same applies to those that you take an immediate liking to.
More than often, the stranger will walk on and you may never see him again. Those first impressions based on a fleeting moment of sight will remain untested forever unless if you happen to meet again.
When you have the chance to observe a stranger for a while, your first impressions are vastly expanded and overridden with a new set of data. You will be able to process some of his properties like age, race, culture, language, gender, personality, facial expressions, body language, accent, posture, and voice (amongst others) to form a much more accurate image of the person.
But this is no longer first impressions. You had ample time to sum him up while observing his mannerism and interaction with other people. It is a calculated assessment of the person. The accuracy of such an assessment depends on the time you had to observe him and your ability to judge people, but it can be clouded by your instant like or dislike of the person, as formed when you first saw him.
Keep your mind open. Don’t allow first impressions, formed in a tenth of a second, to obscure the virtues and the flaws of a stranger. He may be completely different from what you first perceived.
Have a marvelous day.
Comments (39)
I find that there is usually something about a persons mannerism ... their walk, the way they dress or talk or otherwise that triggers our minds into making a first impression.
It's just hard if someone leaves a bad first impression to even want to get to know them any better.
Otherwise I think it takes time to get to know people and I usually like to take my time and get to know someone.
Hope your renovations go better than mine.
We do, but it is subconscious. It is a self-preservation mechanism of the brain to attract us to (or protect us against) something it deems good (or bad) that it had associated with the person we saw. It is the same triggers as when as when we fall in love, but falling in love is the superlative form of it.
I have done nothing during the last three weeks. I have been very busy with other things. I had visitors, I've been away for a few days and currently my grandson is visiting from the interior. I'll probably resume in another week or two.
just kidding!!
Have a nice day Cat!!
Of course it was love it first sight. I fell in love with you in one tenth of a second.
I do know every single time I have met up with someone on a 'blind' date they have looked startled. Not delighted, not horrified, just frozen, for a second. Every time. Of course I ask why and of course they are gallant about it. BS! Something about me isn't what they expected.
One guy I had talked to on skype previously, so he KNEW what I looked like, and he STILL looked stunned. HE said it was because I was so much taller than he had expected (nearly 6 foot in heels, but I say so, repeatedly, no secret!) So, more BS.
I'd love to know why
The extra head is actually a relationship bonus, especially for boring guys, because it never goes to sleep. It means I'm a great listener, 24/7.
I would love to know, though. For sure.
I work in a restaurant where I get to meet new people everyday.
Yup, there are certainly people that you like or dislike immediately for no apparent reason whatsoever
Maybe there's some truth to what you wrote there, the sub-conscious thing...
Anyway, in my job, I need to be nice to all the patrons/customers regardless of their looks, manners, jobs, etc....
Enjoy it while it lasts. I have something planned for you.
Men are intimidated by tall women. Playing at flyhalf (#10), I was never the biggest guy in the team so big men don't scare me, but when I encounter a tall woman, I always wonder how hard hard and how fast she can smack.
Regarding the scar and plastic eye; no I don't think it will make any difference. Men are not very visual creature. We look deeper.
I agree with biff, there are no second chances for first impressions. I'm sensitive and forms impressions carefully. I never rush, I take my time as I judge through observations. Actions prove why words have no meaning...
Why else would you dislike a stranger who you know nothing about, on first sight. He may the post pleasant person in the world. Your brain recognizes something in him that it connects with something bad and warns you to against the person.
That is what I mean. It is no more first impressions. Your first impressions were formed in a fraction of a second. Once you have watched and evaluated a person, it is something else. First impressions is a visual thing and only manifest itself as a like or a dislike with no reasons for it.
That is very true. I have some friends who are very poor and they live in an area that is high in crime. When I visit them, I dress very shabbily, and go there by public transport, never by car. I will walk through the most dangerous areas and nobody gives me a second thought.
My only worry is how to explain myself if somebody who knows me sees me like that.
The two of you ruined my blog for today. If I posted it, everybody who read yesterday's blog comments would have thought that I'm trying to justify myself. I had to throw this blog together in no time.
BTW I have never implied that I'm a gentleman. I rather see myself as a sophisticated and refined rogue.
Give us your best shot!!
My best shot? Ok, but don't complain afterwards.
Jajaja! Welcome to my blog. Jajaja.
where are you???
Don't worry, I'm working on her case too.
At this time on a Thursday evening, Bea is safely tucked away in a gym.
You're alone now.
Don't ever ever under estimate me
I won't. That is why I'm biding my time with you.
Sometimes Bea has to work late. She should be around some time.
You should not try to bolster her. It is time that she learns how to behave in public.
I just got home!
Sorry! I am tired now. Im headed for a sleep in. Be back later!
She started it and I just repaid her in her own currency.
Anyway, we sorted it out on the phone a while ago.
Just so you know, I'm not the type who will easily back down...
Ok, fair enough. I wonder where Bea is now.
You think so? I worry myself silly about meeting with people I know.
good night!