So often I have heard people say, "Oh, I always trust my first impression, and I am never wrong!" I always think to myself, what a harsh and unforgiving way to live your life! So many factors go into meeting someone that often a first impression is clouded by your own experiences and events of the time as well as the effects others are having on your life as well. Often a first impression is an impression biased by your own mood, your emotional sensitivity at the time, and other factors.
I have even heard people make the same judgement in retrospect. "Oh, I always knew he was trouble,". Or even focusing on the one instance they were right: "Remember what I said about her when I met her?"
I imagine these first impression people struggle even more on the Internet. So much communication, so little personal interaction. How could you possibly evaluate a person from a first or even a tenth impression when all you have had were the written word and none of the nuances that come from meeting someone in person. Even with the emoticons! :
After living in the same area most of my life I moved out to this small rural community and have experienced a lot of exclusion probably based on not even first impressions but a lack of knowledge about myself. However, the small number of people who have opened their arms and hearts to me, I count as closer friends that the many superficial relationships I had in the city.
I have even heard people make the same judgement in retrospect. "Oh, I always knew he was trouble,". Or even focusing on the one instance they were right: "Remember what I said about her when I met her?"
I imagine these first impression people struggle even more on the Internet. So much communication, so little personal interaction. How could you possibly evaluate a person from a first or even a tenth impression when all you have had were the written word and none of the nuances that come from meeting someone in person. Even with the emoticons! :
After living in the same area most of my life I moved out to this small rural community and have experienced a lot of exclusion probably based on not even first impressions but a lack of knowledge about myself. However, the small number of people who have opened their arms and hearts to me, I count as closer friends that the many superficial relationships I had in the city.