Now, we all know the phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover", but how true do we stick to it?

What do you think, guys?

Although we are encouraged to get to know each other before we judge them, people constantly find new ways in order to praise the first virtues they see in a person, or place criticisms on their faults.

So, why, even if we are taught these things from the very beginning, do we place such importance on the first actions we do around people?

How do you deal with the thoughts others have about you from the get-go?

Do you find yourself to be more self-conscious, or with a "I don't give a fuck about what you think" mentality?

Just a few things that I was curious about.

i'm a self-conscious sociopath. i sometimes make bad impressions, though i do not mean to. i stick to the 'don't judge a book by it's cover' motto, because you can't truly base someone on their looks or the looks they give. only on their actions, thoughts, and ideals. :3

I don't give a fuck what people think, I've always been like that if a person doesn't like what I do or what I look like or what I wear then they can go to hell for all I care. I'm refuse to be a follower, instead I'm my own leader ^^

>>3 and that is why you and i are such good friends. polar opposites somehow work damn well together. don't you think?~

>>4 yes ^^ opposites attract :P

Tossing my own two cents in here:

I care what people think. Not because I feel it's important to make a first impression (save for my job, it's VERY important there), but because I feel it's important to hear what others think of me so that I may improve myself, for myself.

And you know, most people never know jack shit about themselves. Everybody thinks they know, even though they're likely to be leagues away from correct. Self-awareness is few and far between these days, so I use this as a method to proactively learn about myself.

People who 'don't care' about things are ignorant; people who care too much don't focus on the other things that matter.

I think I've found a nice balance.

>>9 Makes sense, its always good to make first impressions espicially for when I'm older. I've never looked at it that way before. I'll make sure to remember that when I'm older. How'd you get so smart? XP

If I don't like somebody when we first meet, I'll probably end up best friends with them later on.

I'm trying to get over first impressions. When I first met my friend Xavier I hated his guts, I wanted to punch him in the face and tell him to go back to where he came from. Now, we're good friends. Unfortunately, he moved.

I always try to make good first impressions on people. I figure if they like me from the start things will be easier.

Fist impressions are kind of iffy. Mainly because with the experience I've had with first impressions is rather odd.

Most of my best friends today are people whose first impressions I did not like, sometimes at all. Most of the people I dislike today are people who gave me a good first impression. So I've been lead to believe that first impressions aren't the most reliable way to judge someone.

I think if people actively try to give a good first impression, it tend to see it as they are being fake in some way to try and win me over. The people I tend to become friends with are people who legitimately don't care about first impressions.

I tend to just be myself and try not to put on an act when I meet somebody. If the new person likes me, that's great and all, and if they don't? It's no loss to me. I never try to make a good impression, for I could honestly not care less what people think of me.

The only person whose opinion of me matters is myself (and reilyx) . I mean, it's cool that my friends and family think I'm cool too, but it's the actions I take and the actions other people take that are the way I judge people by.

>>13 <3

For me, just act nice. If you can't shut up

The 'first impression' reaction is a genetic thing. People that deny they do it either have some serious psych problems or just aren't being honest with themselves. It goes back to the hunter gatherer DNA where you had to assess a potential threat as quickly as possible.

In the first three seconds of seeing you another person will have made assumptions about you based on your physical traits, clothes, stance and any other information they can grab about you. It takes about 30 minutes to reverse that impression (which is why you have to be super careful about it in job interviews and stuff).

I avoid trying to put on a good impression like the plague since I would rather just be me. Unfortunately since I'm carrying baggage from crappy school experiences I get super nervous meeting new people and have to fight my gut reaction to get all defensive and closed. Which is the opposite of a good impression.