When you meet new people, you often have a perception of what this person will act like in the future. In fact, in most cases, in less than 5 seconds, you make the decision as to whether you will be interested in getting to know a new person at all.
They do the same.
There is so much communication that happens in the first five seconds of meeting someone. There are studies on communication that happens before that by body movement and positions.
However, I think this first 5-10 second interaction of meeting someone new tells you more than probably the next year of that friendship.
When I was in the Atlanta airport last night (arguably the best place to people watch in the world), I could look around the room where I was sitting and make judgments based off of the things that I saw people do. I may not even be correct about the things that I assess on people, but I am still exposed to a ton about this person. So much beyond their physical appearance.
As soon as I then talk to someone, I can make even more assessments of this person and their character/personality.
Something I’ve decided to challenge myself to do is every time I meet a new person to write down my perception of them and a short entry on my initial thoughts.
It’s so fun to think back on when you first met someone. But I’ve often found that I forget so much about these first impressions when I’ve gotten used to their actual personalities.
Perhaps a silly challenge, but I think it could potentially have great returns. If nothing else, to have a good time 3 years down the road when my friends and I can look back on these perceptions and laugh at how wrong I was.