English Lessons

Most people tend to make certain assumptions about others, even before interacting with them. When you first meet someone how concerned are you about the impression you make? Nearly everyone tries to put their best foot forward when meeting others for the first time. However, some people consciously try to control themselves and monitor their behavior more than others.

DISCUSSION:

1. What evidence served as the basis for your first impression of your partner? What, for example made you think that your partner was or was not conservative? Check the categories below that apply.

v Style of dress
v Hairstyle / makeup
v Tone and volume of voice
v Facial expression
v Body Language
v Amount of eye contact
v Other

2. How might you judge a person dressed in smart casual dress compared to someone dressed in jeans and a t-shirt?
3. Do you often feel nervous when meeting someone for the first time? How about if they are native English speaker?
4. It is said that you only get once chance to make a good first impression. Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. Can you think of a time when you made a great first impression on somebody? How did it help you?
6. If a person you meet for the first time doesn’t say much, do you usually think that they are unfriendly, or that they don’t like you, or do you assume that they are shy?
7. What is it that makes you dislike a person the first time you meet them? What sorts of people turn you off right away?
8. Finding common interests, such as leisure activities, and likes and dislikes, is the usual way to get a conversation off to a good start. What kinds of topics do you usually use to break the ice?
9. What sorts of people do you have a natural affinity for as soon as you meet them?
10. Most of us pre-judge others to some extent before we even talk to them. How accurately do you think we can judge people based on their appearance alone?
11. If you want to make a good first impression on a member of the opposite sex, what are some things that you should and shouldn’t do? Do you have special technique?

12. Comment on the following quote.

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

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