NEVER MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

I know you’ve read from the good books and heard from great people that first impression matters and that; one should always create a good and striking impression when meeting new people. Unfortunately, this has led people even corporate outfits to put on some funny appearances like forced smiles, unusual hospitality, borrowed looks, exaggerated remarks etcetera, just to win people over.

Well, before I disagree, let me first agree; yes, a first impression matters a lot. But...

You don’t have to create a good one at all cost.

From personal experiences (and you don’t have to take me seriously) my longest and closest associations don't always start off on a good note... for instance, back then in secondary school I so much detested this clique of Bayelsa girls that anytime our paths crossed, I made it so obvious that I hated them. Eventually one of them became my very best friend and by the time I was leaving the school, every other person thought we were dating... today we still have the longest conversations every once in a while.

Again, during my pre-degree programme, I unsettled this fair beautiful lady on nose mask with a nasty comment on our first meeting; today, I’m glad I said what I said. I won’t talk about the lady I eventually dated after threatening to give her a dirty slap on our first contact – and just before you say it’s only ladies, I started out with my best friend today on a very rough note too.

Well these are very personal experiences so I wouldn’t want to shove them down your throat and I’m not saying you should be nasty (like me), it’s okay to shine your teeth (if they are white of course) and do all those nice people attitude but please, DON'T FORCE IT!

Bottom line is; never force a smile, be all loving and all just to impress people at the first instance only for them to discover later on that you were only putting up a show. When you meet someone new, just remain calm and be yourself; act like you would on any other day in any other circumstance. Let them think you are no-good until you prove them otherwise.

Whether on an individual level or as a corporate entity, a good first impression can become a deception if it cannot be sustained. When you give someone a good first impression, you raise their expectations about you and you will come under fire if you can’t keep up with those expectations later.

Don't be a rotten egg... good on the outside, stinking within.

Thanks for dropping by, hope you learnt something not new...

Don't forget to leave a comment below... except you don't want to give me the impression that you are my biggest fan... winks!

PS: Don’t shut the door on your way out, I went for an exams but I’ll be back soon.