What Makes The Best First Impression

Whether you’re at a client meeting, a first date, or a party, we meet so many new people in our day to day lives. It doesn’t matter if you’ll only meet this person for 10 minutes and never see them again, making a great first impression which resonates is something that every man should make a priority.

While it’s true that you can’t make someone like you simply from one meeting, it’s still vital to not give anyone ammunition to dislike you, as there’s a big difference.

To be a called a true gentleman, this is what you should keep in mind when you’re meeting someone for the first time.

Don’t be late

Yes, Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings might say that “A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to,” but this doesn’t mean you should follow his advice!

You’re not a wizard, so arriving on time is exactly what you should be doing. Even if your date says that she doesn’t mind that you’re 15 minutes late, secretly, she’s already docked you a few points and you’ll have to fight hard to earn them back.

If you’re late for a job interview? Best to not even turn up at that point, unless you have a really good excuse.

Dress appropriately

Does this mean three-piece suits for every occasion? Not at all. It simply means wearing the right things at the right time. Suits for job interviews? Perfect. A date? Maybe… but that’s a little old-fashioned now. A family BBQ? Now you’re just being crazy.

Ensure that your wardrobe is varied enough that you can switch from ‘sporty’ to ‘business’ to ‘casual’ in the blink of an eye.

Have that “one thing” to remember you by

Try to have something about yourself that makes you memorable to others. When you stop to consider that girls likely go on a lot of dates before you and that particular company is likely interviewing several people, it makes you realize the importance of being unique.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as a fresh and stylish haircut or a brilliant smile, or even something eye-catching, like the kind of watch you have or the shoes you wear (two things that women often say are big plusses if you get it right).

Tissot watches are cool and aren’t that expensive, and Brogues are always a solid choice for dates or interviews. So, those are two easy and memorable items right there.

Have interesting small talk topics prepared

People hate giving answers to questions they’ve heard a million times before, like “Where do you come from?” or “How long have you been in this city?” Try to be diverse, funny, and interesting when making small talk.

Ask about light events like the World Cup or summer holiday plans, as people are far more willing to talk about sports and holidays! Also, be perceptive. If you see someone wearing a festival band from Coachella, ask them which acts they saw, for example. It’s good to have topics in mind before you meet someone, but also be spontaneous and casual.

Naturally, good body language, politeness, and confidence are all equally important to consider when making a great first impression, but if you can continually practice all the above points when meeting someone new, we know that it’s your face and name that’s going to be remembered in a positive way after you’ve left.