How often have you met a person, and then formed an immediate judgment about who or what the person is like, based purely on his or her external appearance?

Chances are you just did. We do it all the time — that is, making a conclusion about people’s nature and character based on the way they dress, speak and look. Strappy spaghetti top, tight capris, floral ankle binders, straightened highlighted hair and glossy lipstick.

The way we look and speak often reflects who we are. As a famous writer once commented, “The rich walk as though they have all the time and nowhere particular to go, while the poor walk in a perennial hurry.” Then there are other little signs that mark you out — soft hands equal no manual labour or even labour within the home. So next time you spot someone with soft, perfectly manicured nails, you know they have enough servants at home. There is a tan that comes from being necessarily out in the sun earning your daily bread and another tan, which comes from holidays resorts, smoothened by tonnes of tan-effect or lotions and after-tan balms into a rich golden fish.

Research confirms that the first impression is often a lasting one. It is formed on a combination of subtle and obvious factors like voice, appearance, posture, etc. We often delve into our personal experience to find parallel associations to draw conclusions. All it takes is between 10 seconds to 10 minutes for us to formulate an impression.

To quote Jennifer Metcalf, “When presented with a bunch of information, what we remember most often is that which entered the mind first. In other words, first impression counts.” In fact, according to a research, people decide what kind of a relationship they want with a new acquaintance within 10 minutes of meeting.

Research indicates that you will be judged professionally and personally in the first few seconds of your meeting someone for the first time. In fact, your first impression is recorded and used as a yardstick of all future communication by those whom you meet. Often, there’s no room for a second chance and it would be a shame to let a shoddy personality rob you of success. Therefore, take charge and get what you deserve.