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  • Twelve things that ruin a first impression immediately.

  • Scientists have proven that we form our first impression about someone within the first seven seconds of meeting them,

  • and there are definitely certain factors that can instantly make or break it.

  • Are you ready to find out what you should and shouldn't do in order to leave a good first impression on other people ?

  • Then keep on watching...

  • But before we start, don't forget to subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications

  • so that you'll always be the first to see all our new videos.

  • Number 12 :

  • a weak handshake.

  • This point couldn't be more important for anyone with an upcoming job interview.

  • A flimsy handshake can be a real first impression killer.

  • In his research, psychologist William F. Chaplin

  • found that people with a weak handshake

  • are instantly judged as being shy,

  • anxious, uninterested,

  • or, even completely incompetent!

  • That's definitely not how you want others to see you, is it?

  • Another common mistake people make,

  • is holding someone's hand for too long.

  • Awkward !

  • If you're gonna give the right impression of confidence AND capability,

  • remember to grip the other person's hand firmly,

  • and for no longer than two seconds.

  • That'll put you on the road to success!

  • Number 11 :

  • Keeping your hands in the wrong position.

  • If you're ever sitting in front of a group of people,

  • whether it be at a business meeting,

  • or at some conference,

  • you've got to be mindful of where you keep your hands...

  • You can put them on your lap,

  • but never keep them in your pockets,

  • because this gives the impression that you're hiding something.

  • If you place your hands on the table,

  • don't squeeze them too tightly,

  • or leave them flat with your palms down.

  • This makes people feel like you want to control them!

  • Also, don't forget about the role that culture plays here.

  • while gently folding your hands on the table is totally okay in the Western world,

  • this position is considered rude in Japan and India.

  • Do your research on the customs and culture before you visit another country.

  • This will help you avoid any uncomfortable situations.

  • number 10 :

  • chewing gum

  • You've got to admit that it's incredibly annoying,

  • and distracting,

  • when you're talking to someone,

  • and they're chomping on a piece of gum!

  • Put this irritating behavior

  • into a formal situation,

  • or a first time encounter with someone,

  • and it becomes even more inappropriate.

  • Chewing on gum,

  • makes you look immature,

  • self-centered,

  • and somewhat lowbrow!

  • So don't even think about it for a job interview.

  • You want to show your best qualities,

  • not your indifference towards your potential employer!

  • On the flip side,

  • a new study has found that in casual situations,

  • people chewing gum are usually perceived as more friendly and approachable.

  • So be careful with this one,

  • it can either help or hurt you.

  • number 9 :

  • avoiding eye contact.

  • Eye contact has an unbelievably powerful influence

  • on how we view someone.

  • A 2007 study,

  • showed that people who maintain eye contact during a conversation,

  • are often seen as more confident,

  • attentive,

  • intelligent,

  • and trustworthy.

  • People that avoid eye contact,

  • on the other hand,

  • are viewed as less sincere,

  • more anxious,

  • and even unattractive !

  • it doesn't mean you have to stare people down like a creep,

  • Just don't be afraid to lock eyes with another person from time to time,

  • instead of constantly looking around !

  • Especially when you meet them for the first time.

  • number 8 :

  • playing with your hair

  • Statistics show that women touch their hair up to 18 times a day!

  • That's fine, if you're fixing it in the mirror.

  • But if you play with your hair while talking to someone,

  • you could be sending them the wrong message.

  • First off: they might think you're flirting with them !

  • But more importantly,

  • a person who toys with their hair during a conversation,

  • looks unconfident,

  • anxious,

  • and uncomfortable.

  • Traits that are especially undesirable

  • in official situations.

  • And when playing with your hair becomes excessively repetitive,

  • it can even be a sign of OCD !

  • If you tend to do this when you're nervous,

  • try to kick this habit.

  • It'll do you and your hair a lot of good.

  • Number 7 :

  • picking the wrong conversation topics.

  • In order to avoid the dreaded, awkward silence,

  • a lot of people are ready to talk about anything with someone they've just met.

  • But you never know what subjects can make someone feel uncomfortable.

  • So it's better to play it safe,

  • and avoid the general TABOO topics out there.

  • They include health problems,

  • money,

  • religion,

  • politics,

  • or personal problems and complaints.

  • Try not to focus the conversation only on yourself,

  • and your issues.

  • That's what therapists are for!

  • It's always a good idea to be attentive to your conversation partner.

  • A good listener,

  • is always highly appreciated.

  • Number 6 :

  • invading someone's personal space

  • Just as there are certain lines

  • you shouldn't cross when it comes to conversation topics,

  • the same goes for personal space.

  • Experts put it simply :

  • the space between you and another person,

  • depends on your relationship,

  • AND the situation.

  • There's a certain distance for close friends and family,

  • one for informal conversations,

  • and another for formal interactions.

  • When it comes to meeting someone for the first time,

  • keep a minimum of four feet between the two of you.

  • If you stand too close to them,

  • you may come off as aggressive.

  • But if you stand too far away,

  • you seem uninterested.

  • Just try to find a happy medium,

  • and stick to it.

  • number 5 :

  • making distracting noises

  • We've all been in a room with someone who constantly taps their foot,

  • or fingers

  • or drums their pen on the desk !

  • And if you do any of these things,

  • you're not only annoying everyone,

  • no offense,

  • you're also giving them the wrong impression about you !

  • Tapping can indicate nervousness,

  • irritation,

  • or impatience.

  • People might even think that you're purposely trying to irritate others,

  • or draw attention to yourself.

  • And while cracking your knuckles can help relieve stress,

  • It's one of the most annoying sounds,

  • according to a survey,

  • by the New York Times.

  • It can be nearly impossible

  • to control nervous tapping,

  • but you have to try,

  • especially during important meetings or presentations.

  • number 4 :

  • constantly checking your phone

  • In the age of social media,

  • and 24/7 access to the Internet,

  • we've become addicted to our gadgets !

  • In fact,

  • an Android app called Locket,

  • collected information,

  • and found that the average person

  • checks their phone

  • a hundred and ten times a day !

  • Even if you're just checking the time on your screen,

  • it comes off as extremely impolite,

  • when you do it during a conversation.

  • the other person gets the impression that they're boring you,

  • and you seem to have better things to do.

  • A study from the University of Essex,

  • showed that even just having one's phone on the table next to them,

  • reduces a conversation's quality,

  • and the participants engagement.

  • So leave it in your bag,

  • or in your pocket.

  • Period!

  • Number 3 :

  • forgetting people's names

  • Probably the most embarrassing thing you can do,

  • when you see someone is to forget their name.

  • And it's especially humiliating

  • if they remember yours.

  • To steer clear of this awkward situation,

  • get into the habit of immediately repeating someone's name after you've been introduced,

  • like : Hi Anne ! Nice to meet you.

  • Justifying this faux pas with excuses

  • about having a bad memory,

  • or being terrible with names,

  • won't cut it.

  • And when it DOES happen,

  • Just play it cool,

  • and try to avoid using phrases where you have to name the other person,

  • That should do the trick.

  • Number 2 :

  • being late

  • Well your best friend might kid you that you're always so fashionably late.

  • There's nothing to joke about it when it comes to first impressions,

  • and being tardy.

  • Running late to a meeting with people you don't know,

  • or have a formal relationship with,

  • will shed a guaranteed negative light on you.

  • You'll seem like an unreliable and unorganized person,

  • that doesn't respect people enough to value their time!

  • Nothing good about any of that.

  • So, if you don't want that mass to be the way people view you,

  • don't be late!

  • It's that easy.

  • Leave your house in enough time

  • so that you don't have to run to your meeting.

  • You'll be all disheveled and unfocused,

  • and that looks bad, too!

  • There are tons of online resources to learn better time management skills,

  • so make use of them!

  • number 1 :

  • the wrong attire

  • Whether we like it or not,

  • people do judge a book by its cover.

  • And remember,

  • they do it within seven seconds of setting eyes on us!

  • There's not much you can say within this time,

  • which proves that a lot of assumptions people make,

  • are based purely off of looks.

  • In fact,

  • statistics claim that 55 percent of the first impression,

  • is based on appearance.

  • What's more,

  • studies show that your height,

  • weight,

  • hair color,

  • and makeup,

  • can even influence the size of your paycheck.

  • So if you're meeting someone for the very first time,

  • again, especially in more formal situations,

  • try to be conservative in your choice of clothing,

  • be polished,

  • and don't use heavy perfume,

  • or tons of makeup.

  • You don't have to dress to the nines or anything,

  • just look neat and well put together.

  • What else do you think can ruin a first impression?

  • Tell us in the comment section below.

  • Don't forget to share this video with your friends and family.

  • They need to know how to leave a good impression too!

  • Stay on the bright side of life, and we'll see you soon.

Twelve things that ruin a first impression immediately.

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