First impression!

Life can be very funny atimes. We meet various people with different characteristics every day. Some can be annoying, others may give you a wonderful and delightful experience for the first time, some faces may be smiling while others are looking mean. All these different characters are displayed by people when we meet them for the first time. There is this saying that First impression matters a lot. What can you say about that? Does people's first impression matter to you and does it affect how you treat and relate with them later?

This is what this contest is all about. The contest tips will act as a guide in exploring the title.

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

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I have met several people and I believe the first impression matters. For some, it was not quite pleasant meeting them while others was a pleasurable experience.

I once worked in an organized firm, where a staff was redeployed to work in our branch. I have seen her a couple of times when we attend meetings and seminars with other branches, but have never had the opportunity to work close with her. I also do not know her level as at then.

Her first day in the office was characterized by so many unpleasant experiences. She talked down on lower staffers and was very harsh to them. She started giving queries to people on the first day of her job in the new branch. It never went down well with many in the office. She also wanted to intimidate me however I stood my ground and explicitly told her that she can't do such thing.
She even wrote a query to me and copied my bosses.

I just kept my cool and responded to her query. I took my time and explained everything that happened on her first day of resumption and that she was very insubordinate and disrespectful. It was after she saw my response to her query and a counter query to her that she realized, that she was my subordinate.

Even though she came and apologized for her actions, the deed has already been done. What would have happened if she learnt that she is a higher in ranks? That would have been very bad. Her first impression was a bad one and it never changed till she left the branch.

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

I can say that it simply means your view of a person at the first time you meet him or her. For someone that you have never seen before, that can determine how the individual will be treated subsequently.

The impressions created at the first time of meeting determines how people perceive you, discuss or engage with you, whether it is your career or personal life.

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

Recently, I had a colleague whom came down to work with us from another state. He was friendly when he came in. We discussed about work related issues. But the moment another staff worked, the character changed, which was very obvious. At a point he even had a heated arguments with other colleagues. That immediately changed my perception of him. Hence through out his stay with us, my view of him never changed. Later on, issues came up arising from his actions in just that one day.

The impression he created just on that first day of meeting was bad.

Tell us how people can make first impression positively count.

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There are several ways that people can make a positive first impression. This can be done by applying some of these suggestions below.

Physical Appearance - This is very key in making a very positive first impression. There is need to be appropriately dressed for the moment, be clean, neat and tidy; just as would be accepted by the environment you find yourself.

There is also need to have good personal hygiene, while ensuring an open body language.

Do not be Arrogant

We should not have any air of arrogance within us. Always smile genuinely, be confident and offer a friendly greeting. Our communications should be clear and simple.

Be respectful and Polite

We should always use these two important words please and thank you. Always listen carefully to people with little or no interruption. Make use of people's personal names when talking with them, it makes them feel known. Try to observe their culture and and keep to your limits.

Engage with them - Eliminate the habit of always being distracted by your mobile device . Listen attentively and ask thoughtful questions where necessary.

Be yourself - The person should try to be his real self by not pretending. Your words and actions should be sincere, full of enthusiasm and positive. Be prepared for what you are going for. Be courteous and polite too.