First Impressions

I’m not going to say that it is impossible to perceive others without judging or categorizing them. However, it is extremely difficult. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is probably one of the most true statements out there when it comes to perception. Short of being completely unaware of someone, even if we have no intention of interacting with someone, we make judgments about people we see based on their appearance. We evaluate things about people like clothing, posture, and hygiene. Even if we don’t actually take the time to talk to them, we still take stock of these things if for no other reason than to evaluate our environment.

 

When it comes to taking those observations and making judgments about people based on them, it can sometimes be very hard to be objective. Just because someone is dressed poorly, smells like they haven’t bathed in a week, and stands loosely with their shoulders slumped, doesn’t necessarily mean that aren’t some well-educated and successful business person. But very few of us would draw that conclusion based on that kind of appearance.

 

To make more fair judgments I think it is important to try not to categorize people until you actually take the time to get to know them. Not every bum is poor and lazy, not everyone wearing a power suit is eloquent and confident. One thing that has always helped me reserve my judgments is to pretend that everyone I meet is a spy and has carefully arranged their appearance. It is my job to see past the surface before coming to conclusions about them.