Today we’re going to learn about big mistakes that ruin first impressions.
A good or bad first impression can sometimes hinge on a single comment instantly transforming a great conversation into a complete disaster.
Don’t correct people
Let’s say you’re at a party talking to a new group of people.
They start joking and laughing about a movie you really like, but you hear them get an actor`s name wrong, so since you know the actor’s real name you jump in and correct their mistake only to realize you accidentally turn to fun positive interaction into an awkward moment.
For some people, it’s not easy to ignore even the most insignificant mistakes for example, if someone says “funner” instead of more fun it’s tempting to correct their grammar, but even this tiny amendment can make you seem stiff and serious.
When people are socializing they want to be calm and comfortable which won’t happen if they’re worried about messing up every time they open their mouths.
This prevents them from setting their anxieties aside or opening up when you’re around.
Instead, you should let people know that it’s okay to mess up around you, people are often very aware of their mistakes and don’t need you to make them feel any worse about making them.
One of the best things you can do is carry on like nothing was wrong which keeps things light positive and fun for everyone involved.
- We’ve all been there before – you’re in the middle of telling a story when suddenly, someone interrupts to correct detail that they remember wrong. It’s annoying, right? Well, it turns out that this small act can actually have a big impact on your first impression. According to recent studies, people who interrupt others to correct them are perceived as less likable and more arrogant. So next time you’re tempted to chime in with a correction, bite your tongue! Not only will the person appreciate it, but you’ll also come across as more likable and easygoing.
Forgetting Names
When you meet someone for the very first time the conversation often starts with the same tired ritual.
You say something like hi I’m Peter, they respond with I’m Patrick nice to meet you and you habitually respond: nice to meet you too.
Now, for most people, it feels like the conversation really starts after you’ve gotten that out of the way, but those formalities gave you one very important piece of information which can completely change how well the conversation goes.
So as a little test try to remember the name of the other person in this example.
Chances are many of you are completely spaced out, which means, you may be doing the same thing in real-world scenarios.
I can tell you from personal experience that remembering names definitely does not come naturally to everyone.
However, by remembering and repeating someone’s name you become significantly more memorable because the other person will take the time to remember your name too.
Now incorporating their name also has a few added benefits, like showing the other person how invested you are in the conversation.
But are there any tricks you can use to make sure you don’t miss any more names?
Well in my experience the most effective trick is also the easiest.
So the next time you’re stuck doing the usual pre-conversation ritual and they say: I’m Patrick nice to meet you, respond with nice to meet you too Patrick, by simply tacking on their name you’ll not only have an easier time remembering what it is, but it will also let the other person know that you’re giving them your complete attention.
- There are a few simple techniques you can use to ensure that you never forget a name again. First, try repeating the person’s name aloud when you first meet them. This will help to commit the name to memory. Second, make a point of using the person’s name throughout the conversation. This will help to keep the name fresh in your mind. Finally, try to associate the person’s name with a physical characteristic or a piece of information about them. For example, if you meet someone named John, you might think of him as “John with the big nose.” By following these simple tips, you can make sure that you always remember a name – and make a great first impression on the process.
Humblebragging
Imagine you just sat down at a coffee shop about to enjoy your favorite drink and listen to a podcast on your phone when a man at the table next to you strikes up a conversation.
You’ve been trying to meet new people so you give the guy a chance, but he won’t stop talking about how busy and chaotic his life is.
He goes on and on about how he’s got a demanding job and how he’s been forced to lead a team of designers for his company.
Almost immediately you find yourself looking for a way out of the conversation.
So why did this interaction go so poorly?
This guy made a common mistake that completely ruined his chances of making a good first impression.
By talking about his busy job, he was doing something called a humblebrag.
Humblebragging is when you seem to be sincere and modest, but are actually just gloating about how action-packed and important your life is.
Now, most of the time people will humblebrag when they want to impress you or win you over because they think humblebrags make them seem confident and cool.
The truth is more often than not humblebragging leaves their new acquaintance with a bad taste in their mouth.
Even with the best intentions, these comments almost always fail because they seem like an attempt to prove how superior you are, which consequently makes the other person feel inferior.
It’s important to remember that the best first impressions leave both parties feeling secure about the other person and themselves.
- The biggest mistake you can make when trying to impress someone is humble bragging. This is when you try to make yourself seem good by bragging, but then follow it up with a false modesty statement. For example, saying “I’m such a klutz, I tripped and fell on my way up to accept my Nobel Prize” is humblebragging. This behavior is a huge turn-off because it makes you seem arrogant and clueless. People can see right through it, and it will only serve to damage your reputation. If you want to make a good impression, focus on being genuine, honest, and authentic. humblebragging will only hold you back from achieving your goals.
No Eye Contact
Eye contact has its place in just about every social interaction, so it’s no surprise that it plays an important role in making good first impressions.
When meeting new people our nerves tend to go into overdrive, we overthink and get embarrassed way more than we would with close friends, which can have a huge effect on our body language.
Eye contact is usually one of the first things to fall by the wayside when we feel intimidated or insecure it can be incredibly uncomfortable to maintain eye contact with another person.
But by staring at the floor, the ceiling, just about anywhere else, you’re making sure they know exactly how uncomfortable you are and when you’re uncomfortable they are uncomfortable.
Even if you’re feeling nervous use eye contact to let the other person know that you’re present and attentive and that you want to continue interacting with them.
Now while it may be difficult at first, the longer the conversation goes on, the more natural it should feel.
Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication. When you meet someone for the first time, making eye contact can help you feel connected and allow you to make a good first impression. Here are some tips for making eye contact:
- Look into the person’s eyes. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to actually focus on the other person’s eyes. Looking away or darting your gaze can make you appear distracted or disinterested.
- Maintain a relaxed posture. If you’re tense or stiff, it will be difficult to maintain eye contact. Try to relax your body and facial muscles so that you appear open and approachable.
- Smile! Smiling conveys warmth and friendliness, so it’s a great way to break the ice when meeting someone new.
- Hold the gaze for a few seconds. Once you’ve made eye contact, hold it for a beat or two before breaking away. This shows that you’re interested in what the other person has to say.
By following these tips, you can make strong eye contact that will help you create a positive connection with others.
Blank Expression
Let’s say you’ve got a big interview for a job you’ve been chasing for years, this is your final chance to impress the hiring committee before they pick someone to fill the position, so you really needed to go well.
Throughout the interview, you look for some indication that you’re doing well but the interviewers just stare blankly at you the whole time.
Even if you gave the best possible answers you still leave the interview feeling uncertain because of the blank looks on their faces.
When interacting with new people, we often use their facial expressions to judge how well the interaction is going.
If they’re smiling we think it’s going well if their brow is furrowed you probably did something to make them angry.
But nothing is worse than a blank expression, because it tells the other person one of two things:
You’re either bored or you don’t care, both of which leave your acquaintances feeling rejected and insecure.
So whether you’re talking to a potential employer or just some random person you met at the store, use your facial expressions to tell them how you think the interaction is going.
- When you meet someone for the first time, it’s important to make a good impression. One of the worst things you can do is to have a blank expression on your face. This makes you look uninterested, bored, or even unfriendly. Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks you can use to avoid making this mistake.
First, take a moment to relax and put a smile on your face before you enter the room. This will help you to appear more approachable and open.
Secondly, make sure to make eye contact with the person you’re talking to. This will show that you’re interested in what they have to say.
Finally, try to keep your body language open and positive. Avoid crossing your arms or slouching, as this can make you seem closed off and uninterested. By following these simple tips, you can be sure to make a great first impression the next time you meet someone new.
Limp Handshake
Think about a handshake as an investment.
If you put just a little bit of money into something you probably aren’t that confident that it’s going to do well in the future.
So you’re fine with just losing a small sum, but if you invest every dollar that you have, you’re showing how much faith and confidence you have and whatever you’re investing in.
Handshakes work the same way.
When shaking someone’s hand you can`t throw out a limp wrist or a two-fingered handshake and expect the other person to feel confident about interacting with you.
A weak handshake tells the other person that you don’t care enough to firmly shake their hand, which means, they won’t bother investing the time and effort to get to know you.
- A limp handshake is one of the quickest ways to make a bad first impression. When you meet someone for the first time, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression, and a weak handshake is a sign of weakness and a lack of confidence. The best way to avoid making a limp handshake is to practice your handshake with friends and family members.
Make sure that you grip the other person’s hand firmly, and pump their hand up and down two or three times. You should also make eye contact with the other person while you are shaking their hand.
If you practice these simple tips, you will be sure to make a strong first impression when meeting someone for the first time.
Lacking a Sense of Humor
Humor is another effective way to make sure you leave a good first impression because it not only makes the other person feel more comfortable but also shows them that you two have something in common.
People often say that their favorite thing about close friends is that they share a sense of humor.
Maybe they make each other laugh or just enjoy the same kinds of jokes, but the point is that people who have similar senses of humor can have a good time together.
So if you have no sense of humor or take things too seriously, people won’t see you as someone they’ll enjoy spending their time with.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, show them your sense of humor right off the bat. Now, of course, you shouldn’t go overboard and start telling cruel jokes because then you might end up insulting them or scaring them away.
- So how can you learn to be funnier? The good news is that humor is something that can be practiced. Start by thinking about the things that make you laugh. What are your favorite comedians? What TV shows do you enjoy? Once you have a better understanding of what you find funny, you can start working on incorporating humor into your own conversations. When you’re talking to someone new, look for opportunities to lighten the mood and make them smile. Don’t force it, but don’t be afraid to take a few risks. You may just find that your sense of humor is one of your best assets when it comes to meeting new people.
Invading Their Space
You might be accidentally ruining your first impressions by sitting or standing too close.
According to a number of anthropological studies conducted by Edward Hall in the 1960s, there are many different levels of personal space, ranging from intimacy which is for family and friends, to the public which is meant for complete strangers.
When you first meet someone in a formal setting, like a hiring manager or a new boss you want to be in the social zone which means you should give a minimum of three to four feet of space.
If you’re meeting someone at a party or any other informal setting you can get a bit closer but always try to leave about two feet of space to make sure you aren’t invading their personal bubble.
By encroaching on their space you’re making other people feel uncomfortable and anxious around you because they don’t know you well enough to feel safe when you’re sitting or standing so close.
Even if you’re just trying to be friendly, invading personal space can come off as aggressive irritating, and inappropriate.
- When meeting someone new, it’s important to avoid invading their space. Just as you have personal space that feels comfortable for you, everyone else has their own comfort zone. Respect their space by keeping a reasonable distance and avoiding any sudden or unnecessary movements. If you’re in doubt, err on the side of caution and give them a little extra space. When talking, pay attention to their body language and give them an opportunity to move away if they start to feel uncomfortable. By being aware of personal space, you can make sure that everyone feels comfortable and respected.
So be sure not to make these wrong first impressions examples and be sure to give people their space, it might just land you a job, a friend, and even a relationship.
Correcting First Impression Mistakes
We’ve all been there before. You meet someone new, and for some reason or another, things just don’t click. Maybe you say the wrong thing, or maybe you come across as arrogant or standoffish. Whatever the case may be, we’ve all made a bad first impression at one point or another. The good news is that it’s not the end of the world. In fact, there are plenty of ways to correct first impression mistakes and turn a bad first impression into a good one.
One of the best ways to correct first impression mistakes is to take responsibility for your actions. If you made a mistake, own up to it and apologize. This shows that you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions and that you’re not afraid to admit when you’re wrong.
Additionally, try to find common ground with the person you made the mistake with. If you can find something that you both enjoy or have in common, it will help break the ice and make the person feel more comfortable around you.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for a second chance. We all deserve second chances, and if you’re sincere in your request, chances are the person will be more than happy to give you one.
So, next time you find yourself in a situation where you’ve made a bad first impression, remember that it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of ways to correct first impression mistakes and still come out ahead in the end.
