Introduction
Have you ever wondered why “first impression is the last impression” is such a common saying? Turns out, the way someone perceives you for the first time, even before you speak can become the basis of your future interactions with them, especially if you are meeting them in a romantic setting, say, the first date.
Your first impression is an amalgamation of your personality, non-verbal cues, as well as the way you present yourself. In today’s article, we’re going to take a deeper look into the psychology behind first impressions. We’re also going to explore seven tips that you can use to leave a great first impression when meeting someone for the first time, even before you say a word to them.
The Psychology Of First Impressions
As humans, we have a strong tendency to judge people based on a plethora of factors, most of which are based on nonverbal cues like their body language, grooming habits, and facial expressions. In fact, multiple studies have shown that humans decide if they like someone or not within the first seven seconds of meeting them, solely based on their body language, even before they speak.
Factors such as your attitude, posture, smile, eye contact, how close or far you are, and even the way you move your eyebrows can all influence the way someone perceives you. Of course, these factors can vary depending on cultural, intellectual, and social reasoning of a certain person or the group that they belong to, but it is important to remember that on an interpersonal level, almost all humans associate a groomed look and well-adjusted personality with attractiveness.
7 Tips To Leave A Great First Impression
Here are seven low maintenance yet extremely effective ways to leave a positive impression the first time you meet someone:
Focus On Personal Hygiene
Personal grooming can have a strong impact on how others perceive you, especially if they’re meeting you for the first time. Your personal hygiene has a lot more to do with just the way you look. While it does include factors such as bathing daily, brushing your teeth, smelling good, making sure your skin is clean, among other things, it also includes how well-groomed you are.
Following a skin care routine that works for you, preferably by discussing your skin concerns with a dermatologist can be extremely helpful in ensuring that you look and feel your best. You must also spend time exercising to ensure that you stay healthy. If you’re a guy, make sure that your facial and body hair are well groomed and your nails are trimmed. If you’re a woman, focus on removing any facial hair and grooming your eyebrows and nails to look polished and presentable.
Know The Right Hair Care
Your hair, unless you’re bald, make up an important part of how people see you when meeting you for the first time. Thick, shiny hair directly reflects, on a biological level, that you are healthy and take care of your body. On a social level, the way you style your hair can showcase if you care about your appearance, or whether you belong to a higher or lower class, but most of all, it’s a way of self expression.
Take time to regularly invest in your hair care through a variety of methods. Oil your hair at least once a week and wash it with a sulphate free shampoo followed by a conditioner that works for your hair type. Spend some time learning about simple hair styles that suit your hair and make you feel confident. This will ensure that even when you have less time to get ready such as when going on a fun first date, you always look your best.
Invest In Quality Clothing Items
Once you’ve worked on your personal hygiene, it’s time to take a long hard look at your personal style. From the colors you choose to wear, to the type of dresses that suit your body type, there are multiple ways for you to style yourself. If you want to get rid of choice overload when it comes to looking good, the best way to go about it is to invest in a capsule wardrobe after you’ve evaluated your personal style and preferences.
The concept is simple. You pick a few quality items that can be styled in different ways and can be styled quickly. This minimalist wardrobe becomes your go-to place whenever you want to look chic and classy, say, for a date. As a rule of thumb, your wardrobe should consist of a neutral color palette, based on your skin tone. You must also have a couple of versatile but timeless items to add a pop of color to your outfit. Make sure to keep a few accessories and footwear to complete your ensemble. Remember to update your capsule wardrobe seasonally.
Understand The Power Of Your Smile
Your smile is the biggest indicator of your ability to form deep interpersonal relationships. When someone looks at you, your smile and overall dental hygiene is the most prominent thing that they may notice. There’s a direct correlation between smiling and stress relief, so sharing a simple smile with someone new is a great way to leave a lasting impression on them.
If you’re concerned about your dental hygiene, it’s important for you to reach out to an orthodontist and find ways to improve your dental health such as by brushing twice a day, using coconut oil pulling to whiten your teeth, or flossing with a water flosser. Apart from this, if you’re planning to have any procedures done, such as getting braces or finding the best quality veneers, it might be worth it to do ample research, find a professional you trust, and take it from there. While there’s no necessity to indulge in dental procedures, if they make you feel confident within yourself, you should get it done.
Use Non-Verbal Cues With Precision
Your non verbal communication is an integral part of a successful good first impression, especially when you’re on a date. While this does include the basics like a confident posture, pleasant facial expressions, strong eye contact, respectful touch, and appropriate gestures, it also encompasses your ability to present yourself as an intellectually and emotionally healthy individual. Just like there are rehab options for couples who want to deal with drug addictions, similarly there are various rehab and prescription options for individuals dealing with addiction of alcohol, drugs, or smoking.
Image 2 courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-collared-shirt-774909/
If you’re extremely shy or introverted, it might be worth practicing a few simple ways to use nonverbal communication to leave a good impression when meeting someone for the first time. Knowing how to present yourself gracefully by using your body language can also help you read your date’s body language, making it easier to know the kind of impression you have made.
Influence People With Your Scent
You may find it hard to believe but your scent has a strong influence on the way you are perceived when meeting someone for the first time. A strong pleasant smell can indicate to others that you are confident and nice to be around. It can also significantly boost your mood and help you feel more comfortable in your skin. If you’re going on a date anytime soon, it might be worth it to wear a fragrance that’s sweet and attractive, as humans associate scents with memories and emotions.
To always be the best smelling person around, shower daily, use a quality deodorant or antiperspirant, and use perspirant wipes. When picking a scent for yourself, make sure you try out different ones and then choose a signature scent that you can wear everyday. Make sure it’s not overpowering as overuse of perfumes can also be seen as unattractive.
Always Be On Time
Last but not least, be respectful of others' time. Sure, people judge you even before you speak based on how you look and present yourself. But if you’re not even there, that is, don’t abide by the time, your first impression can be ruined even before anything begins to happen.
Punctuality is an attractive quality to possess, irrespective of whether you’re in a social setting or a professional one. By being punctual, you not only leave a good first impression on people that you’re meeting, whether in person or virtually, but also significantly reduce your own stress, avoid disrespecting others' times, and have a stronger hold on the way you present yourself and plan your day ahead.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, whether you’re preparing for a job interview or a first date, leaving a strong first impression is the best way to keep your experience positive. By understanding the psychological impact that your first impressions can have on others, and following a few simple yet effective tips like following personal hygiene, taking care of your skin, investing in your dental hygiene and clothes, making sure you smell good, demonstrating positive nonverbal communication, and being respectful of other’s time, you can ensure that your personality shines through and attracts the attention of right kind of people.
