Interesting Psychology Team
Did you know that people form a solid impression of you within the first seven seconds of meeting you? Some research suggests that traits such as trustworthiness are determined in as little as one-tenth of a second.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but we do, and there’s a psychological reason for this: our brains are wired for self-protection. If, for example, your brain deems someone to be rude, it’ll sound the alarm to steer clear of that person – for your own safety.
So with that in mind, here are 12 ways people judge you when they meet you for the first time.
1 – Appearance
Perhaps this is the most obvious, but the first thing people make judgments on is your appearance.
If your hair and clothes are disheveled, others might assume that you are altogether messy or just generally unconcerned, since it may come across as though you can’t even be bothered to make yourself presentable.
In the same way, people might assume that a woman who wears a lot of makeup does so because she’s insecure; or they may think a guy who wears expensive clothes is cocky.
These judgments may be inaccurate or unfair, but they’re a natural reaction when meeting someone new.
2 – Your Posture
Actions, or in this case body language, speak louder than words. That makes sense, since without knowing you, other people won’t necessarily trust what you say yet.
When it comes to first impressions, your posture says a lot about you. It can convey confidence, intelligence, and personality.
On the other hand, if you’re slumped over with your arms crossed, people might perceive you as bashful, angry, or unapproachable. It could even make you seem less credible.
3 – Your Speaking Style
Your speech influences how people feel about you on that first encounter. This one’s a little more complex, though, because interpretations can vary.
Being open and honest might seem authentic to some, while others might consider this oversharing and attention-seeking behavior. Another example is profanity.
While it might be totally acceptable to use colorful language around friends who are comfortable with it, some people might find it offensive.
4 – Choice of Colors
While it’s important to match your outfit to the occasion, it turns out that the color of what you wear is equally as important.
Lighter tones are associated with a friendly attitude, and darker tones are subconsciously related to authority. Blue, in particular, expresses a sense of power, integrity, and knowledge.
5 – Repetitive Nervous Habits
There are some common telltale signs of being nervous. For example, you might crack your knuckles, bite your nails, twirl your hair, or tap your pen on the desk.
These seemingly inconspicuous little habits are actually quite apparent to others and convey anxiety. Even if the fidgeting is because of boredom, it might be mistaken for nervousness or a lack of self-confidence.
6 – Your Facial Expressions
How and when you smile, frown, or raise your eyebrows influences how people perceive you. If, for example, you don’t smile when greeting others, you might seem uninterested or distressed.
As I mentioned before, people start making judgments within the first few seconds of meeting you, and those judgments are primarily based on their previous interactions and perceptions of others, for better or worse.
