First impression

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

Yes, plenty times. One memory stays clear for me. I was at this small gathering, kind of like neighbors sitting around in the evening. A man walked in, first time I ever see him. The way he carried himself, loud voice, almost shouting like everyone must hear him, it didn’t sit right with me. Some people laugh, but inside me I was thinking, “this guy is showing off too much.” It turned me off before I even know his name. On the other hand, I also remember meeting a young lady in a shop, just ordinary place. She smiled when she greeted me, didn’t rush, even let another man cut line because he was carrying heavy bag. That small kindness impressed me. No long talk, no show, just action that spoke louder. That’s how first meetings can affect how we feel, good or bad, without us even planning it.

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

That saying is true for me. Because you only get one chance to meet someone for the very first time. After that moment passes, you can’t repeat it. People may change their mind later, but the very first picture they hold in their head about you is strong, sometimes stronger than what comes after. It’s like a stamp on paper. Even if you try to erase, a mark still shows. If you make a good start, doors open easier. If you make a bad one, you may spend long time trying to prove yourself again. I think that is why they say it matters a lot. In school, if a teacher comes the first day unprepared, students already feel he isn’t serious. Even if he tries later, that first day will hang around. In job interview, same thing. First five minutes can decide the whole result. Even in friendship or dating, the way you act in the beginning sets tone for everything after. That is what I understand from it.

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

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Recently, I had one with a taxi driver. I was waiting by the roadside. He pulled up, didn’t honk or shout. He greeted softly, asked where I was going, then before I sat, he used rag to clean the seat for me. That simple act touched me. I felt respected and comfortable right away. Compare that with another driver I met a week earlier who shouted “where you dey go” with rough voice before I even enter. I almost didn’t want to ride. The difference between both men was only seconds of action, but it left deep mark in me. Another example, I walked into new restaurant last month. Floor was clean, music soft, waiter smiled and said welcome. Even before I tasted food, I already made up my mind the place is good. But one other time, I entered another joint, chairs sticky, nobody cared to greet. I left quickly. So not just people, even places, they give you first impression that decide if you stay or leave.

Tell us how people can make first impression positively count.

I think best way is to be yourself, but your best self. No need to fake, because people can sense when something isn’t real. Simple things count. Smile a little, greet properly, look at person when they talk, show respect. Small actions like opening door, saying “thank you,” listening instead of rushing to speak, they leave lasting image. Dressing clean helps too, not over, just neat enough to show you care about yourself. Another way is giving attention to little details. Like that driver cleaning seat, or someone offering water before you ask. These tiny gestures plant good seeds in people’s memory.

At the same time, don’t be quick to judge others by first meeting alone. I learned this from that loud guy I first talked about. Later, when I got to know him, I found he wasn’t proud but nervous, and talking too much was his cover. So while first impressions are strong, we should allow room for correction, because human beings are complex.

Still, I believe if you want to make positive impression, respect the moment. When you meet someone, act like they matter, because truly they might. It could be a stranger today, but tomorrow same person might be a helper, a boss, or even a friend for life. That first moment is like planting. What you plant, whether kindness or carelessness, is what grows in their mind about you.

When I think back over my life, the people and places that stay in my head, it almost always start with first impression. The woman in shop with her kindness, the driver with respect, the restaurant that smelled clean, the neighbor who shouted too loud. All of them remind me that yes, first impressions matter, sometimes more than we even notice. So I try to make mine count, and I try to forgive others when theirs didn’t come out well. Because maybe, like that man at the gathering, they only need time to show their true self.

I invite @samuelbrilliant @calculuseyo1 @promisezella to take part in this contest.