PARCIA, KIMBERLY M.

BSA II-D
Purposive Communication
Midterm: Position Paper – “First Impressions Lasts”

First impressions are things in life people do a lot of times which is a basic of
human nature. That either I, myself can’t deny the fact that I made a lot of judgements
for someone too. This happens when we meet someone for the first time, we try to size
them up and the thought process behind forms in our minds an image of how we see
that individual called first impressions. It is a common saying that first impressions lasts
and first impressions are regarded as the corner stones of forming human relationships.
First impressions are influenced by the body language, the way someone dresses, the
way they talk, their look, etc. It is understood from the fact that the image formed on our
minds decides the impression and has the impact on the minds the most to people.
However, human personality is quite too complex to understand that it can’t be
understood in just one glance or meeting. Considering that fact, first impressions can
never be the last as your opinions may undergo some changes in time.
An old adjective “Never judge a book by its cover” applies to this situation.
People tend to instinctively make snap judgements on someone based on looks without
even looking further into that someone as an individual. In contrast with this, it is
frequently said that first impressions lasts, and at some point, we can’t question that
given statement. When a person made up his mind about a concerned person, it means
you don’t get the second invitation to change the mindset of that person. It is the first
impression that count so as much as possible, make it count. It hardly has a effect on
your personality when the person made up his mind even if you try your best to change
that first impression −−−−−−minmind -- may be a negative one. It is true provided
that, for instance when you are in a job interview and you arrive neat and professional
looking, the interviewer will likely to form a positive impression about you. Having said
that, arriving for an interview cluttered or messy will likely leave a negative impression
about you even if you performed above average responses on the said interview.
Furthermore, first impression lasts is evidenced by its significance. It is extremely
important to set positive impressions for the purpose of establishing foundation for the
way which people will perceive us. It sharply states that people should make every effort
in the interest of making a positive first impression. Moreover, first impressions are
important in a way that it contains an accuracy and misconception at the same time.
Although some people do reasonably know that this first impressions are incorrect or
way far from the truth. In consideration to that fact, sometimes people are messed up in
some situations they are dealing with that are not under their control. For instance if you
meet a person for the first time being arrogant, the next time you meet him you may
become less accepting of his opinions and rude to him. In the future encounters, you
might have discover the good side of him. Maybe he have done because of some
factors that made him look arrogant. While it is important to make a good impression,
last impression is more lasting. Take into consideration of all the things that we do, for
example the places where we go to, the restaurant where we have eaten, and the likes.
On this example, what we usually remember are the last ones. Same with having the
last impressions which sticks to the minds of people. Thus, first impressions changes as
time goes by and opinions of someone undergo changes as well. As stated on the first
example when you encounter an arrogant person, as you usually come across to meet
him, you'll definitely change your mind what you perceive him. We can't always be
showing our good sides and we can't control how we are perceived by someone every
time. Might as well, it is influenced by some internal and external factors that creates an
impact on the minds of people around you.
In the grounds of these, first impressions are actually can never be the last.
Situations creates barriers between you and other people around us. And setting off a
good impressions may not probably be top of our priority every time. It's true that first
impressions count and with that, we should create such a good impact to people around
us. It maybe whether create a positive or negative one and that differs upon their
understanding to you. Acquiring a negative impression would quite stick to the mind of
someone's mind. Nonetheless would not last in time as it changes as time passes by
and as you interact more with them, what the person thinks of you may be influenced
and may undergo many changes.