Written by Lila Goeller, Upland Junior Writer
Did you know that your brain makes up its mind about a person within the first five seconds of meeting them? First impressions are an important part of our world and have been for thousands of years. Our initial reactions when meeting someone new are an almost instant conclusion we draw and it’s called first impression bias. First impression bias is how we make quick judgments about others based on our first encounters with them. The theory revolves around the fact that when we first meet someone, we don’t have much to go on about who they are, if they are safe, and if we will like them, so we often rely on the first pieces of information we receive about that person to make quick decisions about them. This initial information we gain isn’t set in stone, but it tends to have a greater impact on our overall view of that person. In today’s world, many people have forgotten what goes into first impressions and what makes them valuable. A good first impression is important and it comes down to a strong handshake, confident eye contact, and a thoughtful appearance.
HandShakes
Handshakes are used as a greeting or to finalize an agreement, but they are much more than that. Handshakes can be used as a second language if you know how to speak it. A hard, bone-crushing handshake indicates the person feels dominant and is a way of saying “I am better.” A loose handshake without eye contact says that that person is anxious and doesn’t respect you. An example of a good, proper handshake is a firm handshake with eye contact. This says that you respect the person and want to build a good relationship. It is important to remember that many people do not know the meaning behind a handshake and may not know what message they are giving, but when done correctly, a strong initial handshake can communicate more than those first words.
Eye Contact
A key part of the introduction is eye contact when two people look at each other and make immediate decisions based on what they see. Eye contact can build connections and convey many different facets of your personality. For example, if you hold eye contact with someone for a long time this is something called kiss or kill. Most likely if you hold eye contact with someone for a long period of time it means you are either attracted to them or you are showing your dominance. Holding eye contact is important during a first impression because holding eye contact is a sign of active listening, respect, and confidence; which are all always important for a first impression.
Appearance
Did you know fifty-five percent of first impressions are based on your appearance? When you first meet someone, your brain tends to zero in on a few specific traits, such as their clothing and overall appearance. This is one of the reasons why looking your best is so important for a first impression. When seeing a new person, one of the first things your brain does is quickly patch together a general idea of who they are as a person by their appearance. This is why it is important to present your best self when meeting someone new. This includes being benign clean, confident, and dressed appropriately for the situation. Being confident is one of the most important things. I have learned that moving through life with self-esteem and confidence makes everything much easier.
Conclusion
We don’t always form accurate opinions about people’s qualities when we first meet them, and we shouldn’t always judge a book by its cover, however, it is important to make a good first impression. That first meeting can become a filter that we use for future interactions as well as a guide on how we view the person and our relationship with them. A first impression is an opportunity, so make sure you don’t miss it!
