First Impressions

Vocabulary

1. Impression (n)
/ɪmˈprɛʃən/: the effect or influence that something or someone has on a person’s thoughts or feelings
Ex: He made a good impression on me the first time I met him.

2. Open-minded (adj)
/ˌoʊpən ˈmaɪndɪd/: willing to consider different ideas or opinion.
Ex: My parents were really open-minded, and they always encouraged me to try new things.

3. Matter (n)
/ˈmætər/: to be of importance
Ex: It's not the size of the gift that matters, it's the thought behind it.

4. Disoriented (adj)
/dɪsˈɔːriːˌentɪd/: lost or confused

Reading

“First impressions last”. This is a very famous line. The first impressions of a person are what really matters sometimes. Most often, it is what you see and notice first that will stick in your mind.

Making a good impression can start a good business partnership, a friendship, or even a relationship. It is normal to judge someone simply by looking at their appearance because it’s what one sees first. Someone who looks neat and organized gives the impression that they could be a great asset to a company or has a good personality. On the other hand, a person who is untidy may seem disorganized and unreliable. A seemingly unprepared person may seem disoriented. This may sound very judgmental, but appearances really do matter.

Can first impressions be changed? In reality, this is actually quite possible. Everyone has the chance to prove who they really are. People also have the chance to get to know a person better, not just by looking at their physical appearance but also by paying attention to their attitude and behavior. Bad first impressions are often turned into good overall impressions as people get to know each other better. That's why it is important to be open-minded when meeting new people.


1. What does the line “First impressions last.” mean?

2. Why do first impressions matter?

3. Can first impressions be changed?

Discussion 

1. Do you think first impressions last? Why? Why not?

2. Do you think first impressions are as important as the article claims? Why? Why not?

3. What do you think people usually think about you when they first meet you?

4. Has your first impression of someone ever turned out to be wrong?




-Tracy Luu-