Here’s what you need to know about first impressions — and how to make a good one.

They happen incredibly quickly.

A 2006 Princeton University study found that it takes just one-tenth of a second to make judgments about a person based on their facial appearance. Judgments — on measures of attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness, competence, and aggressiveness — made within this span of time were not significantly different than those made without time constraints. In fact, confidence for some judgments actually decreased with greater exposure time.

The researchers found that attractiveness and trustworthiness are the qualities we judge most quickly.

Attractiveness is not just how YOU look but also clothing, posture, smile, and handshake.

I wonder what happens if I offer a hug instead of a handshake.

I guess I really shouldn't hug when I first meet a person.

why not?  as long as you're not being lecherous, i think you're safe.  :) 

Not lecherous, just huggy. I have noticed that some people really don't like to be hugged!

So I try to judge accordingly on whether to offer the hug. 

some people don't like chocolate either.

Yes, but those people are WRONG. :)

thank you!  i KNEW it!

If everyone could have chocolate and hugs, there would be no more war. 

awww...  if only i could eat enough chocolate and give enough hugs to make up for the worldwide lack!

Chocolate and the Hugs would be a good band name. 

http://pandawhale.com/post/37974/candida-and-the-veggies-would-be-a-great-rock-band-name

There’s one trait we particularly value when it comes to first impressions: Trustworthiness.

We value trustworthiness over confidence when creating impressions, creating more positive impressions of those we believe to be trustworthy. And this judgment accounts for a large portion of the impression we form, according to social psychologist Amy Cuddy.

Cuddy explained to Wired that there are many things we can do to establish a sense of trust right off the bat:

“There are a lot of things that you can do. One is to let the other person speak first or have the floor first. You can do this by simply asking them a question. I think people make the mistake, especially in business settings, of thinking that everything is negotiation. They think, ‘I better get the floor first so that I can be in charge of what happens.’ The problem with this is that you don’t make the other person feel warmth toward you. Warmth is really about making the other person feel understood. They want to know that you understand them. And doing that is incredibly disarming.”

The Amy Cuddy TED talk is worth watching again.

yes, that's a good one.