First impression!

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1. Have you ever met someone for the first time and been impressed or turned off because of the person's actions?

One time I walked into a gathering, not knowing anybody, just standing with my hands not sure what to do. Then I saw this man who didn’t even know me yet he came closer, he smiled first, said “hey you’re welcome.” That small thing stayed in my head. It was not about his fancy shirt or anything, it was the way he made others feel seen. In my heart I thought acta non verba, which means actions matter more than words.

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But I also remember another meeting, very different. A person started speaking so loud, almost like he was performing for himself. He kept bragging, saying “I have this, I know that.” At first maybe you think wow he’s confident, but later it just feels heavy, like he wanted to be above everybody. It made me dislike him fast. Sometimes you don’t even need a whole hour, just few seconds of watching how someone treats people tells you all.

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2. Explain your understanding of the saying first impressions matter a lot?

To me, this saying feels true, maybe more true than we want. The first moment somebody looks at you, it is like painting on fresh paper, you cannot erase it clean. They may forgive later but the image stays stuck. There’s a Latin phrase prima facie which is “at first sight.” That explains it better than I can.

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Imagine meeting a person and the first time they ignore you or act rude. Even if later they are kind, part of your memory keeps whispering “remember how he was the first time?” Same also for good, if first time they smile or show kindness, that feeling grows roots. First impression is like the root of a tree, it holds everything that grows after. Once you set it, hard to pull it out.

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3. Tell us about your recent experience of a first impression of something or someone.

Few weeks ago I stepped into a café that I had walked past many times. Outside it looked very normal, small glass door, nothing attractive. Honestly I didn’t even want to go inside, but my feet still carried me in. Then suddenly I was inside a place that smelled of coffee and fresh bread. The young waiter said “good morning” like he already knew me. That single greeting made the whole space warm, my mood changed completely.

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Another recent time was in school. I saw a girl sitting by herself, quiet, not talking, so in my head I thought maybe she’s not friendly. Later that same day she gave me her notes even without me asking. That one act broke all the first thoughts I had. She turned out to be generous and open. It reminded me of the Latin line veritas simplex oratio est meaning truth is simple. She didn’t speak much but her actions gave the truth about her. Sometimes silence hides gold.

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4. Tell us how people can make first impressions positively count.

Making good impression doesn’t really need money, cars, big mansions, good perfumes or high clothes. It’s in small things, like how you greet, how you look at someone when they talk, how you choose words. If you smile honestly, it can open doors more than a thousand clever sentences. If you listen with patience, people remember you long.

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Honesty is the strongest tool. Fake behavior may impress at first but later it cracks like old paint. The saying honestas ante omnia tells us honesty before everything, and I believe that. When people see you’re real, even with mistakes, they trust you.

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Confidence also matters, but balance is key. Confidence without humility looks like pride, and pride kills impression fast. Just walk normal, speak clear, don’t try to be bigger than you are. Even simple eye contact shows respect.

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In my own view, I think first impressions that count are built on kindness, humility, and truth. You don’t really have to be too perfect, you just need to be real and be yourself. Because people will not always remember the things you say but how you always make them feel. And that feeling, like a stone that dropped in a calm water, keeps making circles long after the meeting ends.

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I invite @promisezella @etoro @mayjay to participate in this contest

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Cc,
@okere-blessing

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