Meeting new people can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Whether it’s a networking event, a date, or a chance meeting at a party, first impressions count. To make a positive and lasting impact, here are 18 things to avoid when meeting someone for the first time:
Ditch the Phone
If you constantly have your phone in your hand or on the table, it can distract you from genuinely engaging with someone. Whether checking your social media or texting friends, you are not present at the moment, which will come across as rude to the person you’re meeting for the first time.
Oversharing
You should keep the conversation light and overshare when you meet someone new. Giving too much information (TMI) can be off-putting, as the other person may feel uncomfortable hearing personal information. There’s a time and space for disclosing emotional baggage, but the first-time meeting is not it. You may feel an instant connection to someone, but wait a while before entering deeper conversations.
Let Others Speak
You may be eager to meet new people and make a good impression, but you should avoid dominating the conversation. It’s good to show interest by asking questions, but listening to the other person is also essential. If you’re too overpowering, you risk people doing anything to get out of the conversation.
Bragging
Boasting about your achievements or dropping famous names can be arrogant and inauthentic. It’s essential to be as natural as possible with people; otherwise, they will think you are fake and may not invest time in you.
Don’t Be Negative
Nobody wants to be around negativity, least of all people who are out to meet new people. To create a good impression, keep the conversation upbeat and avoid complaining about the bad things in your life.
Think About Your Clothes
Making a first impression isn’t always about what you say; it can often be about how you look. While being yourself and wearing your style is excellent, you should dress appropriately for the occasion. Looking sloppy or overly dressed can create a wrong first impression.
Be Squeaky Clean
In addition to dressing appropriately, you should ensure good personal hygiene. Bad breath, body odor, or smelly clothes will make the people you are meeting uncomfortable and make them want to move away from you.
Don’t The Fake It
It is common for people to exaggerate a little when they are nervous and meeting someone new. However, you should be yourself as much as possible and not be tempted to tell little white lies to make yourself look better. People appreciate genuineness over a pretentious facade and are likelier to want to meet you again.
Avoid Politics
Unless you’re attending a political event, avoiding controversial topics like politics or religion, especially during your first meeting, is best. No matter how passionate you are about a subject, others may not agree with you and may be put off if you are forceful with your views.
Don’t Interrupt
Interrupting someone, especially when first meeting them, is a big no-no. You risk being rude and disrespectful, making the other person feel unheard. People tend to interrupt when nervous, so please try to calm your nerves before attending an event.
Don’t Be Overly Familiar
When meeting someone new, avoid using overly familiar gestures or language, such as hugging them or calling them nicknames like “honey.” Until you know a person well, you should maintain respectful boundaries.
Don’t Fidget
Excessive fidgeting can be distracting when people are trying to engage with you. Try taking deep breaths to relax. Remember, there will be others who aren’t comfortable meeting others, so the people you meet may be just as nervous as
Be Mindful of Body Language
To make a good impression, maintain good posture and eye contact. Crossed arms or looking away can signal disinterest, as can looking across the room when someone is trying to talk to you.
Refrain FromGossip
Please don’t rush into personal details about the people you are chatting with, and never gossip about others. Gossiping makes you seem untrustworthy, as the people you’re gossiping about may fear they will receive the same treatment.
Politely Excuse Yourself
If you want to duck out of a conversation, you should politely excuse yourself rather than do a vanishing act. Before you leave mid-conversation, you need to explain why it is rude and disrespectful.
Don’t Talk About Your Past Relationships
If you’re meeting someone for a date, try not to bring up past relationships or dwell on what went wrong with previous partners. This could be off-putting for a positive partner who wants to focus on your connection.
Be Humble
No matter what you have achieved, try to be humble when chatting with someone new. While you should never have to hide your achievement, don’t try to one-up everything the other person says. This will create unhealthy competition, which is not the foundation for a new relationship.
Acknowledge a Faux Pas
If you’ve met before, could you acknowledge it and show you remember their name? On the other hand, if you can’t remember meeting someone but they recollect your encounter, be honest and tell them rather than making an awkward conversation by pretending you remember details about them.
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