"Don't judge a book by its cover", the saying goes. I always found it amusing, that such a wise saying, is always contradicted by the shallow mindset of people, in general. Just a disclaimer though, i'm not implying that i'm not guilty of judging by appearances. I admit, I sometimes do, (I'm very partial towards sharp facial features. Okay, i'm shallow.) but tell me, who isn't guilty of such?! It's only human to do so.
Generally, a stereotype is established in the minds of people, just by first appearances. Picture this; you were attending an important job interview, and you dressed down for such a formal event. Dressing sense might not really be what you are, but potential bosses tend to hire employees based on first impressions. A negative image of a sloppy worker should have already formed, by the time you knock on the door and enter the interview room.
First impressions, depending on the situation, may facilitate, or hamper your progress in human relations. Just a random fact: my current best friend and I were at loggerheads with each other for two years, during my upper secondary school life. I first thought of him as a sloppy person with his disheveled hair, and the snide tone of his words, suggested that he was quite the sarcastic. The mere sight of him irked me. This negative image persisted through the high school years, until, coincidentally, we were enrolled in the same junior college, and the same class at that. Oh well... Might as well make the best out of it, right? Then I discovered that he wasn't such a bad person after all. Had I been less shallow, i'd have earned myself a best friend much earlier, no?
A person's body language also contributes to how others may perceive him. For example, people can attribute certain behavioral patterns, from the way you walk. If you slouch, others tend to think that you lack self-esteem. Conversely, if you walk with a swagger, people will think that over-confidence is second nature to you. It's not easy to please people, is it...
First impressions count to some extent, in my honest opinion. However, we humans tend to judge by outer appearances, often, regrettably neglecting the personality(inner beauty), the bigger and more important aspect of a person.
So. Will you let personal prejudice get in your way, the next time you make a new, prospective lifetime buddy? You decide.
Extras:
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Choice. A word that remains a stigma to us all. Why? It is the human yes that harbors this first impression. A problem one would acknowledge YET in the end, would it be wrong to state that it all boils down to an individual's will to deal with CHOICE?
ReplyDeleteIf you choose not to harbor first impression but continue observing before judging and rightly do so. Impossible you said? No, I'm doing it. So why not anyone else? Think about it.
Agree with you definitely,
ReplyDeleteFirst impression is essential. Well elaborated by mr anonymous.
For myself, i feel that first impression, or to say how one carries one's self, is just a resonation of an individual's character.
It is his/her inner self/character that defines the outer appearances and perceptions on various things.
This is in comparision to one that dresses well, which gives people the vibes that the individual is careful and presentable.
For example, if one is to dress sloppily, people usually deduces a 'can't be bothered' attitude or simply write him.
For me, it is in human's true nature to judge. Instead of pushing this cold hard truth away, why not use it to one's advantage to allow the eyes and mind of others to look at you in a positive light.
ReplyDeleteWe often put it to great thought ,the first few times(think of it especially the first few dates). Thereafter, this effort takes a downward spiral. The obvious now take the form of the oblivious.
And yes, i admit i am one myself..
I think I'll have to disagree with you.
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions always count as there is so many people and so little time. This is especially the case for an interview. I would want to get a fast and simple generalisation of someone and I think it can be a good and reliable gauge. Anyway, first impressions should not be based on looks or dressing, but more on the way they speak. Nicely written though, Lester. Hope you dont mind my crap, see you soon, Donovan.
subjective. first impressions definitely count but it is what's next that actually matters. first impressions is basically how you make people think and feel about you, this can be controlled by you. However what and how they want to do with you next is controlled by them. Even if first impressions fail, it is having the open mind-set that gives both parties a chance to know each other better. Despite having said so, first impressions are important to most due to the time factor. "I don't want to waste time knowing someone like that, therefore I close my mind on him." This is especially so in situations like an interview or a date.
ReplyDeleteBingshun
first impressions no doubt do matter and yet i will have to say it's superficial. i ain't no advocate of this practice as many people do tend to clam up on the very first meeting and thus many don't get the chance to relish upon what might seemingly be the real person beneath the facade. however in this current society, people deem it and brush it off as the best way not to waste time on somebody else. fairness? you judge.
ReplyDeleteit's a crime for which the charge isn't as severe.
ReplyDeletei would totally agree with you about first impressions, appearance i would mention first being a very critical base for judgement as it has a rather visual effect and humans these days rely a lot of visual cues.
body language is the most interesting because most people have difficulty at drawing inferences especially guys, i'll be the first to say this. girls on the other hand are quick to pick up on such details.
of course the best example of proving that first impressions count is me. as you would definately know lester, i put a constructed image out for everyone and they accepted it and
the persistence of it still remains.
for those who wish to argue, the response and reaction from everybody is the same. and that extends to the entire lecture hall.
I feel that it's natural for people to judge..I myself do judge people from the way they dress, speak and not really looks..
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions are important to some extent..I feel so because one's habits are usually translated in the way they walk, the way they dress or the way they speak..some habits are hard to change so sometimes, body languages and physical appearance do give us a general idea of how the person we see is..
Nevertheless, I do agree that sometimes it's unfair because there tends to be more than what is seen on the surface..And for introvets, it's usually harder for them to open to strangers on first meetings..So if someone doesn't really want to talk to you much on the first meeting, the first thing that usually comes to mind is that the person is anti-social..But is that really the case?That you will have to find out more for yourself..
Of course first impression counts, u dun have to look great but at least look neat right?
ReplyDeleteLooks are not important but the way you maintain your looks are importannt. Not looking great but looking neat is more important.
Isn't it a fact of life that a book cannot be judged by its cover? But so often even for first dates, the initial stage of actually asking some one out is based on looks itself?
ReplyDeleteIs she/he witty, charming, good-looking enough? By the book is always the way things seem to go? No? Interestingly enough, for the fact that most people tend to be a little superficial with their first impression judgment, there's always space for error, where the next few encounters would mean that first impressions which are always lasting, can be wrong in some cases...
Well I do think that first impression really counts when it come to a job interview as in this kind of situation, the interviewer will somehow tell your interest in the job position available through the way you are dressed and how confident are you when you are presenting yourself to them.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do think that first impression counts especially when it come to a job interview. People judge one another by their look as its the first thing which will allow them to know one another. It takes time for one to get to fully know a person. However, first impression of someone could give one to have a wrong judgement. It is adviceable that one should try to understand the person despite the first impression.
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions do count. It shows part of a person's character. A person's character is partially reflected by how much effort was put into his dressing. For example, someone going for a job interview dresses up sloppily. Its true that he has experience and all which can greatly boost his chance of netting the job however due to his appearance he loses it. From the interviewers point of view, he may think that since this person doesn't even bother to dress up for the occasion therefore may carry this laid back attitude to his job hence denying him the job. So to conclude, first impressions count but are not everything as beauty is only skin deep.
ReplyDeleteFirst impression counts. Your first impression will set people on thinking what kind of personality you have. It gives people an rough idea of what kind of person you are. However, like what was said previously, beauty is only skin deep. What kind of first impression you give to people will gradually change as time passes. A simple question, how many people actually remember your friends as the first impression they gave?
ReplyDelete