Recovering from a Bad First Impression
We've all been there – inadvertently offending someone because of a gaffe, making friends groan by telling flat jokes, or failing to impress bosses by underperforming. It could have been due to our nerves getting the best of us or a disheartening day. Despite the notion that it's difficult to recover from a bad first impression, it is possible to ameliorate peoples' notions about you.
Don't let it bother you if it's an insignificant matter that can be dealt with smartly. I met a boy once who smelled like a bucket of sweat. When everyone started mentioning it, he made a hilarious joke about how it's called musk and that it drives females crazy in the animal kingdom. Smart? Yes.
In case you hurt someone's feelings unintentionally, apologize immediately. If possible, provide an acceptable reason for the act. Don't over-apologize either, it is annoying for a person to repeatedly tell you that you are forgiven. Pay attention to your body language – try to smile more to appear less inhospitable. It is not wrong to admit your mistake at times; to err is human. Showcase a more complimentary side of your personality; surprise them by getting them something to drink or help them in assignments.
If you have irked your boss by appearing late to office or by submitting lousy assignments, apologize like the real McCoy as usual. It may not be late enough to work like a horse and make it up to him/her without repeating the same mistakes. Give them sufficient proof that they had the wrong idea about you and be patient about it.
Lastly, don't be a pod person. Let go of all the labels that you have heaved on your shoulders and stop pretending to be something you are not. Don't make jokes if you have a bad sense of humour, chances are they are most likely to fail at being hilarious. If you have already made one and keep magnifying the awkwardness in your head, it will only exacerbate the situation. Instead, do a facepalm in front of them and say how you're unserious sometimes and blurt out random things; a little self deprecation can take care of the situation. Know that the imaginations nagging in our heads are far worse than reality. Unless you want to be the stereotypical, hormonal teenage girl over-exaggerating about insignificant issues in chick flicks, stop making a mountain out of a molehill. Keep chanting the mantra: I'm the only one who makes flat jokes and I'll never do it again. But fret not, everyone has blurted out a flat joke at least once in their lifetimes.
Apart from everything, remember that the last impression won't be based on the first impression. Also, always try your best to be presentable. Break a leg!
Zarin Rayhana is a self-aggrandizing ambivert who ponders over philosophical epiphanies during rainy evenings and waits for her crush to jump straight out of her favourite novel. Treat her with novel suggestions at ericaavianazarin@gmail.com.a
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