They say first impressions count, but what exactly about the first impressions should we be making our judgment on? If we are going for an interview, meeting or formal occasion, we would of course be expected to dress up and present ourselves smart and clean to show we have some self-worth and pride. Some people are obsessed by what car other people drive or what finery they wear, but is this really what our judgment should be based on? I am more concerned by the manner in which I am greeted with, and how I am spoken to. A few simple gestures and words tells me far more about the type of person I am dealing with. My intuitive insight will do the rest.
When I used to teach at the college, we were taught to make an initial assessment of what our students were like by their behavioural pattern in the classroom. We could tell a fair amount within the first class session and the following few classes thereafter. It was a simple method by things like where they would sit, along with question and answer ice breaking techniques and their interaction. This little guide could often tell us what type of learner they will be and whether they would be a well behaved, manageable, or disruptive type of student. Although these were simple psychology techniques, they were helpful in how to potentially work with the individuals.
How often have people been judged by the way they look? They look geeky or they look stunning, they look large or small, they look wild or brainless. Do all athletes or bodybuilders have their brain in their biceps ? Really! Are all people you find aesthetically pleasing quite shallow and with no brain? Yes, some people actually think this way! Isn’t it sad that some people have these misconceptions of another just by the way they look, what job they do, or what they drive.
People do a variety of jobs in order to survive, often whilst studying or just in order to fill a gap. People use a variety of transport; bicycles, motorcycles, cars, vans, buses, trains, whatever it is, it is what that person chooses and is suitable and practical for them, at that moment in time. There is no need to make judgment.
I would be far more concerned whether those people, whatever they look like, or how they dress, are simply polite, respectful, caring, kind and considerate, and I would rather be driven around in an old van with someone nice and of great fun, than the latest car with someone of bad attitude and company.
I often find it interesting when people so misjudge another – is it pure ignorance, or is it what some have been guided to believe in expectation. Never mind ‘can you see the wood for the trees’, are you even looking beyond any tree or always just at the tree? Next time when you are out or you have a visitor, of course it is nice if that person makes an effort to look nice for you, but be more concerned in how that person treats you before you make your decision on character analysis.
So let’s not be judgmental on one another by appearances. Don’t judge the book by its cover, instead start reading it. Get to know another person by speaking with them directly, not by visual appearance or hearsay. Actions and response speak volume. This is what we should really be judging first impressions on surely.

Love and Sparkles
Samsara x