Will you tell me what you think about first impressions?

Um….well, they have their place, but…you really have to be prepared to revise your first impressions….

I hope they don’t mean much, because I made a terrible one on here…

I always try to remin open and give people the benefit of the doubt. I was taught principles of forgiveness and tolerance through my upbringing. And later through personal experience just found that they makes sense.

@DutchCat I completely agree, they have there place but I don’t think they are the best way of judging peoples character, at least if you plan on really getting to know them and understand them.

@J0E I think a few people here have gotten a bad first impression of me as well, but what can ya do? Outspokenness is not always a positive at first.

@SeventhSense I love your answer :)

Neither. I form a a first impression, and then revise as necessary, but I don’t really hold off.

Some first impressions are false, while others are a true reflection of a person’s character. Some displays in a first impression cannot be undone, while others can.

1sy impressions are not to be trusted

When I was in a position where I had to hire people, it counted, a lot. Before the applicants even made it to my level, they had already been approved (for an interview) or sent a thank you, but no thank you letter. It aggravated me, but that was how the company I worked for handled applicants. I felt bad for some of them – they looked like a strong candidate, but maybe they just got nervous.

I try not to form a complete opinion about someone when I first meet them, some people just don’t do very well meeting someone for the first time.

Online first impressions can be disastrously off base, but I’m often surprised at how much information about someone is conveyed by their physical person. The way he carries himself, engages with his environment, facial expression…all this is loaded with information that’s readable in seconds. It’s far from the whole person, but it’s a good start.

What can throw first impressions way off is the projection of our own state of mind onto the other person.

What would your first impression of this guy: be?

I read people pretty well, but first impressions tend to be quick judgments, not considered opinions.

The only time I really cling to a first impression is when the person gives me the heeby jeebies. I find that my “spidey sense” is usually pretty reliable when it comes to creeps. Other than that Marina summed up my feelings perfectly.

@SuperMouse Absolutely, that feeling you get when you just know someone is a creep is something all its own.

I think they’re goot to keep in mind for oneself. You never really know who you’re talking to. As far as first impressions of others? We’re all human and make mistakes, so not taking things at face value is pretty wise.
but personally? First impressions are really important to me. It does effect how I evaluate people. With some individuals, it can be a deal-breaker, and you never know if that person you offended could be one who will change your life around.

@SuperMouse – Exactly. If I get that feeling about someone, there is probably a reason. I don’t forget that impression.

In person, I generally think they are strong. Online, it usually takes a few interactions before I really make a strong first impression of people. Basically, in person I recognize faces really well. Online I have to recognize names and avatars which I don’t do as well. So online my first impression is a much more gradual accumulation of interactions.

You never get a second chance to make a fucking good first impression you stupid mot…ahem…wait a minute…let me do that over…

@Blondesjon LOL I love it
You have already made a good first impression with me so no need to hold back now ;)

I think it is generally okay to size someone up on first meeting them and depending on how perceptive you are, you might be able to make a good determination about them.

I’m not the best judge of character on every occasion so I would feel more comfortable taking extra time to get to know someone better and interacting with them before I can make a more accurate determination about my impression of them.

I hate the idea of how they’re the ‘most important.’

People have more to them than what you first see. Like me: I tend to make really good first impressions and then subsequently ruin it from there.

That’s one of my flaws. I have a problem with judging by first impressions.

@Marina I agree completely.

In person, I receive mixed feedback from people regarding their first impression of me; sometimes they find me too sweet while other times they find me rather snobby. I do tend to judge rather harshly, but I forgive quite easily.

@fireside Nice Einstien!! Excellent point!!

I know you’re referring mainly to us, Benny, but I’d like to add that…first impressions also can’t always be overlooked. Someone mentioned something about job interviews…I remember sitting in with my boss while we did a job interview. The applicant was…not really well dressed, a little sloppy with a low cut blouse—first impression was pretty but slutty. She didn’t make a good impression on me in that way, but, as a teacher, I also sensed a pretty high intelligence. Well….shouldn’t have overlooked it. Within six months she’d slept with every male in the office…after hours in Lord knows whose office because….she was slutty. AND she had a bad attitude in spite of her intelligence. It was a waste, but a learning experience for me.

@DutchCat Actually, I wasn’t referring to people online, but people in person, but I see your point. I had a couple of people in mind that I know personally, who I actually can’t stand—and I didn’t like them when I met them. But I also know a couple of people personally who I really like who I didn’t like when I first met them because of first impressions. Generally, though, I’m a pretty good judge of character.

@Benny (HA! He likes us anyway! Got him fooled, didn’t we Dutchess!)

@all First impressions occur. Period. What you do with your initial feeling and how you act upon it is more important. It usually shows more about you than about the person you are sizing up.

First impressions from a question, comment or avatar on fluther are just plain wrong. They are not an indication of anything.

People, like flowers, require time and patience to open up and bloom.

Since I’m usually wrong, I keep them to myself and observe as best I can. I suspect it’s me who is unsure and untrusting of other people rather than what they’re projecting so I try to control myself and give them a chance. I’m usually right about myself.

@taytay I totally missed what you wrote, but if you want to rewrite it, go ahead. Be nice

Sometimes I hold pretty true to my first impressions of people. But there have been times in my life where I was either completely wrong about someone, or they took me by surprise. I think you have to keep an open mind with new people, don’t make snap judgements or you could miss out on a great friendship.

mine are almost always correct

Usually they make all the difference. Depends on whether or not you have the opportunity to get to know the person. In most cases, first impressions turn out to be wrong.