Have you ever tried starting a conversation with a stranger or making that first sale of a new product? You might have observed the first impression of you being a person or the first impression of the presentation of that product plays an important role in making things happen. But most of the time we ourselves ruin.
Scientists have proven that we form our first impression about someone within the first seven seconds of meeting them, and certain factors can instantly make or break it.
“If you want to make a good first impression, smile at people. What does it cost to smile? Nothing. What does it cost not to smile? Everything, if not smiling prevents you from enchanting people.” – Guy Kawasaki
Are you ready to find out what you should and shouldn’t do to leave a good first impression on other people? Let’s dive in.
1. Being late:
Well, your best friend my kid you that you are always so fashionably late. There is nothing to joke about it when it comes to you and your first impressions, and being tardy. Running late to the meeting with people you don’t know, or have a formal relationship with, will shed a guaranteed negative light on you. Will seem like an unreliable and unorganized person, that doesn’t respect people enough to value their time.
So, if you don’t want that must be the way people will treat you, don’t be late. It’s that easy. Leave your house in enough time so that you don’t have to run to your meeting. You’ll be all tired and forecast, and that looks bad, too. The returns of online resources to learn better time management skills, so make use of them.
2. The wrong attire will ruin your first impression for sure:
Dressing for success is very important. Whether we like it or not, people judge a book by its cover. And remember, they do it within seven-seconds of setting eyes on you. It is not much you can say within this time, which proves that a lot of assumptions people make, based purely on-off of looks.
In fact, statistics claim that 55% of the first impression is based on appearance.
What’s more, studies show that your height, weight, hair color, and makeup, can even inflate the size of your paycheque. So if you’re meeting someone for the very first time, again, especially in more formal situations, try to be conservative in your choice of clothing, be polished, and don’t use heavy perfume, there is tons of makeup. You don’t have to dress to the nines of anything, just look neat and well put together.
3. A weak handshake:
“A firm, hearty handshake gives a good first impression, and you’ll never be forgiven if you don’t live up to it.” – P. J. O’Rourke
This point could be important for anyone with an upcoming job interview. A flimsy handshake can be a real first impression killer. In his research, psychologist William F. Chaplin found that people with a weak handshake are instantly judged as being shy, anxious, uninterested, or, even completely incompetent! That’s definitely not how you want others to see you, is it?
Another common mistake people make is holding someone’s hand for too long. Awkward! If you’re going to give the right impression of confidence and capability, remember to grip the other person’s hand firmly, and for no longer than two seconds. That’ll put you on the road to success.
4. Keeping your hand in the wrong position:
If you’re sitting in front of a group of people whether it be a business meeting or at some conference, you have to be mindful of where you keep your hands. You can put them on your lap, but never keep them in your pockets, because this gives the impression that you’re hiding something.
If you place your hands on the table don’t squeeze them too tightly or leave them flat with your palms down. This makes people feel like you want to control them. Also, don’t forget about the role that culture plays here. While gently folding your hands on the table is totally okay in the western world, this position is considered rude in Japan and India.
5. Avoiding Eye Contact:
Eye contact has an unbelievably powerful influence on how we view someone. a 2007 study, showed that people who maintain eye contact during a conversation, are often seen as more confident, attentive, intelligent, and trustworthy.
People that I would eye contact, on the other hand, are confident here, more unanxious, and even attractive. It doesn’t mean you have to steer people, don’t like a creep, just don’t be afraid to look eyes with another person from time to time, instead of constantly looking around. Especially when you meet them for the first time.
6. Picking the wrong conversation topics:
In order to avoid the date, how silence, a lot of people are ready to talk about anything with someone they have just met. But you never know what subjects can make someone feel uncomfortable.
So it’s better to play it safe and avoid the general taboo topics out there that include health problems, money, religion, politics, and how personal problems and complaints. Try not to forecast the conversation only on yourself and your issues. It’s always a good idea to be attentive to your conversation partner. A good, active listener, is always highly appreciated.
7. Forgetting people’s names:
Probably the most embarrassing thing you can do, when you see someone is to forget their name. And it’s especially humiliating if they remember yours. To steer clear of this awkward situation, get into the habit of immediately repeating someone’s name after you have been introduced, like hi Rupesh nice to meet you.
You can even just spell their names and ask them a question like, “Am I pronouncing it correctly? Justifying this faux pas with excuses about having a bad memory, being terrible with names, won’t cut it. And when it does happen, just play it cool, and try to avoid using phrases where you have to name the other person, that should do the trick.
8. Making distracting noises:
We have all been in a room with someone who constantly taps their food, our fingers, or drums their pain on the desk. And if you do any of these things, you’re not only annoying everyone, no offense, you’re also giving them the wrong impression about you.
Tapping can indicate nervousness, rotation, I’m patient. People might even think that you’re purposely trying to irritate others, order attention to yourself. And while cracking your concurrence can help relieve stress, it’s one of the most annoying sounds, according to a survey, by The New York Times. It can be nearly impossible to control noise tapping, but you try, especially during important meetings or presentations.
9. Constantly checking your phone:
In the age of social media and 24 bar seven access to the internet, we have become addicted to our gadgets! In fact, an android app called locket collected information and found that the average person checks their phone 110 times a day. Even if you’re just checking the time on your screen, it comes off as extremely impolite, when you do it during a conversation. The other person gets the impression that they’re boring you, And you seem to have better things to do.
You can also read this to stop this trigger of checking your phone
Note: A study from the University of Essex showed that even just having one phone on the table next to them, reduces the quality of the conversation, and the party spends engagement. So leave it in your bag, or in your pocket, period.
10. Invading someone’s personal space:
Just as there are certain lines you shouldn’t cross when it comes to conversation topics, the same goes for personal space. Experts put it simply the space between you and another person depends on your relationship and the situation.
There is a certain distance for close friends and family, one for informal conversations, and another for formal interactions. When it comes to meeting someone for the first time, keep a minimum of 4 feet between the two of you. If you stand too close to them, you may come off as aggressive. But if you stand too far away, you seem uninterested. Just try to find a happy medium, and stick to it.
11. Playing with your hair:
Statistics show that women touch their heads up to 18 times a day. That’s fine if you’re fixing it in the mirror. But if you play with your hair while talking to someone, you could be sending the wrong message. First off (it): them I think you’re flirting with them.
But more importantly, a person who toys with that during a conversation looks unconfident, anxious, and uncomfortable. Traits that are especially undesirable in official situations. And when playing with your hair becomes excessively repeated, it can even be a sign of OCD. If you’re trying to do this when you’re nervous, try to kick out this habit. Pickle to you and your hair a lot of good.
12. Chewing Gum:
You’ve got to admit that it’s incredibly annoying, And distracting, when you’re talking to someone, hey there chomping on a piece of gum! Put this irritating behavior year into a formal situation, when it’s the first time and countering with someone, and it becomes even more appropriate.
Trying on Gum, makes you look immature, self-centered, and somewhat lowbrow! So, don’t even think about it for a job interview. You want to show you the best qualities, not your indifference to words of your potential employer. On the flip side, a new study has found that in casual situations, people doing them usually proceed as more friendly, appropriate, and approachable. So be careful with this one, it can either help or hurt you.
Never lose the first impression which has moved you. – Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot
It is very easy to have a good first impression but, it’s tough to maintain it throughout life or a business deal. The common mistakes or negligence will ruin the first impression easily. We will be left out with no choice to create an impression later. So before it’s too late we have to be smart to not to do such things which ruin our first impression.
What else do you think can ruin a first impression? Tell us in the comments section below.
