What is the impact of the 1st impression?

  I’ve talked, in other articles, about the expectations we have when we meet someone. But today, I want to go a bit deeper and reflect on the first impression we get of people - and the weight it carries.
 Science shows that our mind takes just milliseconds to form an initial impression of someone. Clothing, posture, tone of voice, vocabulary - all of that gets processed automatically. And even though we might change our opinion later, the truth is that the first impression strongly shapes how w
e see that person from then on. It creates a lens, a filter, that influences everything that follows.
 In my case, this is especially striking. I’m very observant. Even before speaking to someone, I’ve already listened to them, noticed their gestures, how they treat others. And I honestly can’t remember a time when I misjudged someone - neither for better nor for worse.
I don’t consider myself arrogant or rude, quite the opposite. I don’t treat anyone badly. But I have a very sharp radar for spotting a lack of character or attitudes that put me off.
 I’m the kind of person who thinks: “I’ve seen enough.” I’m not one to give second chances when it comes to personal chemistry. And I know that might sound extreme, but the truth is, a first impression never comes out of nowhere. It’s based on something concrete I’ve seen or heard. My judgement isn’t random. And let’s be honest - we all do this. I’m just more willing to admit it.
 Of course, I try to be less critical. Some people might not be bad at all - they’re just not my kind of person. People who use certain language tics (“like”, “so”, unnecessary swearing), who ignore basic rules of etiquette, or who carry themselves carelessly in more formal settings. Small signs that, to me, say a lot about someone.
 The way a person talks to me - or to others - the respect they show (or don’t show) to older people, the care they take with their body and appearance... these are all indicators. And even if they don’t define who someone is deep down, they offer clues about who they choose to be in the outside world.
 A first impression doesn’t have to be final - but it’s almost always decisive. And I think the most important thing is to be aware of that.
Because while it’s true that we have little control over what others will think of us at a first meeting, it’s also true that we are, at every moment, someone’s first impression.
 And you... have you ever had the wrong first impression of someone?