First Impressions

As a Fashion Merchandising Major, people automatically assume that all I care about is looks. FALSE. In class today, after watching the video, all I could hear was people bashing those that were concerned with their looks. Although looks are not the most important feature we posses, it is still something to be concerned about.

I have actually done a lot of research on this topic and actually wrote a research paper on this subject. First impressions MATTER. And I know most people may disagree with me but the way we present ourselves matters. Consider your personal hygiene and clothing as a cover letter and resume when applying for a job. This is the FIRST thing someone notices about you before you even open your mouth to speak. It takes less than 10 seconds to make a first impression and years to change someone's perception of you.

Looks do matter. It shows the person you are interacting with how you handle situations. I'll give you an example. What would your first impression of someone be who smelled, never washed their hair, and wore pajamas all the time? Exactly. We all think it, none of us are just willing to say it out loud.

But we can't be criticized for what we have learned through adaptation over the centuries. In my paper I discussed a certain study that concluded EVERYONE judges. Everyone. If you say you don't, get over yourself. It is programmed into our behavior. When you first do something new, what do you do? You asses the situation to see if it is safe or not; if it is worth your time. It is due to our "fight or flight" nature. We automatically make assumptions based off of what we see to decide if we are safe or in danger.

What I am trying to say is that the way one presents themselves tells others how they feel about themselves. If you want to make a good first impression, be your BEST self as much as you can. Don't change yourself, that isn't what I am saying at all...but be your best self.  And if someone doesn't like you, oh well. You can't please everybody.