First impressions on first dates are everything: Expert | Maqvi News

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When it comes to romance, first impressions can make all the difference.

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Even though we’ve been often told not to judge a book by its cover, those initial moments matter.

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Our perception of others can influence what we think about other people, whether positively or negatively, and vice versa.

Language learning platform Preply examined the intricacies behind forming those memorable first impressions in an attempt to see how people are perceived in different settings and how they navigate new interactions.

Almost 90% of the more than 1,500 Canadian residents surveyed believe first impressions are important.

The top factors that impact people’s first impressions are eye contact and facial expressions, a sense of humour and personal grooming and hygiene — though for women, being funny is what they look for most.

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Making a good first impression is key if you want to see that person again, relationship expert Dr. Callisto Adams told The Toronto Sun.

“Look into their eyes and smile because this shows you’re not only happy to be there but you’re paying attention.”

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And while a sense of humour is an ideal trait, it isn’t just about being funny.

“A good laugh can make the date more fun and break any awkward silences,” she said.

Notably, punctuality can also be a deal-breaker, and while the importance of physical attire and appearance is no longer the top priority, those things still matter.

“Dressing nicely and being generally put together will show you care about meeting them.”

For those meeting online, it’s tough when what we can see is limited, so other cues in this scenario are relied on more than others.

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Rather than facial expressions, a person’s tone of voice, their communication style and punctuality take the lead in being able to form snap judgments.

Adams advised using your body to “show you are listening,” whether it’s nodding your head, leaning in when they speak (yes, even virtually), and keeping your arms open.

“Speak nicely, listen well, and be interested in what they say,” she added. “Share things about you, but keep it light and fun.”

That said, only 36% of respondents said that online interactions gave them enough to go on to form an accurate first impression, but more than half (51%) found that their impressions generally improve after meeting them in person.

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Though 11% found that their impressions got worse once they met in real life, only 20% of respondents were able to accurately assess people they’ve met online and found their impressions stayed the same when they finally met offline.

If the first date doesn’t go well, it’s hard to say how many chances you will get.

Some might want to try again, while others will not.

But if you want the date to shine, be as genuine as possible.

“To really impress your date, plan something special that shows you’ve listened to them and know what they like,” Adams suggested.

“Being real and yourself is the thing that you need to do. You want someone to like you for who you are.”

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