First impressions
By missybear
@missybear (11391)
United States
July 23, 2009 6:51am CST
People almost always form a first impression of people they meet, I know I do.
Most of the time I'm right about mine, I rather think you're a nice person or a jerk.
Once in a blue moon I'm wrong.
This new CNA started at my job and I tried to be nice to her but she seemed to not want to be bothered by me. So I thought "What a Jerk" but after a couple weeks now she's really a nice person.
Do you judge people by your first instinct?
4 people like this
23 responses
@cobra1368 (702)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Yep, I form first impressions about everyone I meet. I am ususally right too. I think we pick up on more subtle things, like body language, that we're not aware of at the time, which helps us form basically correct first impressions.
I normally act on instincts; however, regarding giving someone a second chance after they've cold-shouldered me once...not happening. I am a very nice person and I try to be nice to everyone. I expect the same in return. If I don't get it from the get-go, I cross you off my list and move on. I don't need friends that badly. 
I don't think people that are mean, rude, standoffish, or snobby deserve any more of my time than what it takes to conduct an initial greeting anyway. Let them waste space somewhere else.
I don't think people that are mean, rude, standoffish, or snobby deserve any more of my time than what it takes to conduct an initial greeting anyway. Let them waste space somewhere else.1 person likes this
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
That was a great response .
Thank you for sharing your view on this subject
1 person likes this
@aravindkrd (610)
• India
23 Jul 09
Its human nature to assess a person from the first impression he gives..
But its not fair to say the least.. specially considering the fact that.. You behaviour need not give the correct picture of your character..
There are nice guys who donno to maintain a gud impression
So pls don't underestimate people who are not gud at givin first impressions
Unfortunately I do believe that I'm one of that kind.. and thus never judge people by first instinct!
1 person likes this
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I try my best not to but sometimes i can't help it.
If someone rubs me the wrong way the first time i don't want to talk to them a second time.
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
23 Jul 09
First I watch and secondly I listen.
I'll give people a chance to prove that they are good and I am very patient.
Now there is much going on and I have to make a good impression on people that don't want me around. This will be very difficult.
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
25 Jul 09
Hi Nic,
I do reserve judgment until I see the true colors of a person, sometimes what we see on the surface is only skin deep.
Hi Missy,
The guy likes being alone? Hmmm? Enough for a Mercedes and talks to himself instead of talking to others? Sounds like an odd character.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
so true, there is a guy that goes to the bar we go, he talks to himself all the time and for a long time I thought he was homeless.
Come to find out he drives a Mercedes and is very smart.
You just never know.
1 person likes this
@Nic7389 (186)
•
23 Jul 09
i would love to sit here and say that i dont judge people on first impressions, but the fact is, i do. i also believe, that most other people do. ít's impossible not to. if you see someone who is dressed badly or looks dreadful or generally like they don't make an effort for their appearance, it almost always reflects their personality. this is not to say that i cast 'ugly' people aside and don't give them a chance. but there are people who really make an effort to look good and give a good impression even if they are not the best looking people and i respect that. they're normally the nicest people in the world as they are modest, hard working and kind. at the same time, i would not be impressed by a person who obviously knows they are good looking and doesn't stop flaunting it. suffice to say, for me, first impressions are everything as you can tell a lot about someone by how they look, you just have to look at them in a little more depth and an instantaneous judgement between pretty or ugly.
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I try not to judge based on first impression
I know that sometimes circumstances are a bit awkward and there is probably a good reason why they are acting like jerks
I tend to trust my gut instincts though
I can usually tell if the person is normally a jerk or if its just circumstantial
1 person likes this
@missybear (11391)
• United States
23 Jul 09
That's why sometimes I feel people out a little longer now, course now a days you don't know what kinda stuff is going on in there life at the moment.
@sblossom (2168)
•
23 Jul 09
i think sometimes first impression can mislead you.
so i never believe in it, although i also know sometimes the first impression can give you some right idea about a person.
however if you do important decision about a person or things, don't depend on your first impressions and do more works for it.
in my life i saw so many cases that started from bad first impressions , but finished to be very good friends.
1 person likes this
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
you right, we should give people another chance before we judge them.
@AcireRo (54)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I try not to judge, although its very human to do so, based on first impressions. Not because I'm trying to make the world a better place but instead because I realize that when I present myself for the first time, I always overdo it and people probably think I'm such an idiot. And I'm not. When I hang out with people, I tend to be very laid back, easy-come-easy-go. But if I meet a lot of new people at one I tend to overtalk or make off comments that make people like... put-off. Hahaha, oh well. I've made friends somehow over the years, so either its not too bad, or I just keep finding many understanding people.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Sometimes I do.
.I just get a feeling sometimes and follow it. But I am shy also so people sometimes take me for being standoffish when I really ain't, I just have a problem talking to people face to face, always have. I probably missed out on some friends that way. I also get scared and end up sometimes pushing away so I won't get hurt when I don't live up to what their expectations are of me.
I have been wrong a few times about people but then I have also been right too. I know I shouldn't judge since I myself hate to be judged on first impressions sine I barely make good first impressions.
.I just get a feeling sometimes and follow it. But I am shy also so people sometimes take me for being standoffish when I really ain't, I just have a problem talking to people face to face, always have. I probably missed out on some friends that way. I also get scared and end up sometimes pushing away so I won't get hurt when I don't live up to what their expectations are of me. I have been wrong a few times about people but then I have also been right too. I know I shouldn't judge since I myself hate to be judged on first impressions sine I barely make good first impressions.@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
25 Jul 09
It is something that can't be helped it is like ingrained from birth..lol
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
You sure make a good impression with me
but I know what you mean
I don't like to be judged either but I guess that's what we humans do.
but I know what you mean
I don't like to be judged either but I guess that's what we humans do.
@prashanthalva (2272)
• India
24 Jul 09
I Also Have that habit of just Judging a Person By Seeing him The first time .. But if the person is Not nice the first time you meet You do get a bad Impression .. Wait And Watch is the best policy i think ..
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I'm trying to do that now, it's not that easy.
I'm just always been very judgmental I guess.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
24 Jul 09
I have heard the saying 'first impression is the best impression'. I don't really belive in that. Many of my friends said that they thought that I am a very serious and difficul to handle person when they saw me for the first time and later they found out that I am kind, good, and easy going person.
So, I dont' think first impression is everything, but I do agree that first impression is very important especialaly when you are going for an interview. The way you dress and your body language has a good part in the success of an interview.
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 09
Its not fair is it? what if a person is having a really bad day? their first impression on others would be terrible. but i read somewhere first impression are very hard to change.
i once had this classmate, who later on told me that he thought i was pretty stuck up and snobby. lol. wow... i never. well i definitely don't agree.
@tomjoad (551)
• Philippines
24 Jul 09
yes i believe in first impressions. sometimes we can easily spot a persons flaws by the way he acts and we instantly have a bad impression on him. but i have been wrong so many times with first impressions. there's a say that goes, "first impressions last." well, i think it's bullocks! you can never know how nice a person is unless you give them another chance, right?
@starlight70 (316)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 09
I do form a first impression on people. But mind you, I don't mind being wrong. I am not the type who judge people and then insist I am right about the person. I have some pleasant outcomes when I was proven wrong. Impression is normal. But just don't stick to it, and use the impression to mislead your direction of relationship with the person.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
You're right I definitely are willing to change my mind if I'm proven wrong.
@surfacesur (153)
• Denmark
24 Jul 09
I do judge people on first instinct. But that does not mean I can not change my mind. If I think someone is just an idiot or so, I can easyli change my mind. Sometimes I also think people are nice - but then when I get to know them, they are not my type at all. I also heard that it takes 7 experienses to change your oppinion after first impression. Don't know if it is true. But would be cool to make experiment.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I never heard that before, I might have to experiment myself
@radx682 (327)
• India
24 Jul 09
"First impression is the best impression" I think this holds true to some extent. Some people don't believe in this simply because when they start moving with him/her they feel that they where wrong.
But if you take time and actually notice, you can see that some part of his/ her attitude would remain the same that you witnessed in the beginning.
I never pretend to be something that would appeal others. For me "Be Yourself" is equal to "First impression"
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
23 Jul 09
First impressions are important. But anyone can be having an off or bad day. So I would at least hope for a second opportunity . Glad you gave the new CNA one.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Hey missy bear! I am kind of the same way! (what a surprise!)
I do for first impressions about people and am usually right
about them! But, then there are a few occasions where I am
wrong! Sometimes it takes a little time to warm up to people
or for them to get used to a place or to you and then they
can end up being a really nice person. I always leave just
a little room for mistakes!
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I think that's good to do, you just never know what kinda bad day someone had that you just met.
My first impression of you is
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
24 Jul 09
Unfortunately, I have a form of ESP, that I don't like discussing, but I seem to sense what people are like on the first meeting. Some of the times, the feelings I get are not always good, but I try to brush it off, and reprimand myself for not giving a person more time....that I shouldn't judge a person on the first meeting. Unfortunately, after a few get togethers, I find that my first instinct is correct. This often leads me to keep my distance from people, because I can sense them, and really know them inside even when they don't always show it. It's not easy.
@WilliamC87 (163)
• United States
23 Jul 09
yes i do...its not that i dont give people a chance, its jus that i think the first impression of somebody is what your gonna get once you really get to know them....its to bad to think like that but ive learned that if you dont then the person may be not who you think they are....for a while i tried to get to know somebody b4 i developed any kind of opinion of them....in some cases this worked excellent because i became freinds with people that i never thought i would have....but in other cases i thought highly of someone without really knowing them and ended up getting stabbed in the back for it.....
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I guess it could go either way, you just never know for sure.
@nygurl5000 (44)
• United States
23 Jul 09
usually my first impressions are right but when they arnt im in shock !
@Wynters_mama (109)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I can honestly say I have Judged people on ther first impression. But usally I get to know the person then I decide whether or not I like them. The reason I do not always go on first impressions is becouse the first time you meet them they might of just been having a bad day. So it is not always good to go on first impressions.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I do realize that they could have had a bad day
so I try to get to know them better now
