The First, too Often Last, Impression

In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, Dr. Victor Frankenstein forms and breathes life into a creature whom he abandons moments after he sees “…the dull yellow eye of the creature open…”

An article entitled Making a Great First Impression suggests that it takes only about three seconds for someone to evaluate and form an opinion of another person. “In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.”

I will relate an unfortunate, yet truthful account detailing the reality that people don’t wait to get to know other people before passing judgment on them.

It’s the first day of my second year at school. I sit in an over sized classroom in the Hart, the exercise building at BYU-Idaho. It’s 10:00 a.m. Class doesn’t start until 10:15, but two girls Andrea and Lindsay who got here early learn everybody’s names. They are the glue that first stuck this class together.
After waiting 15 minutes for class to start. Brother Haley finally strolls into the room. He is a larger gentleman with a cane. His forehead wrinkles with pain. I didn’t see this then.

“Hah, fit for life?” I laugh to myself, “good joke. Why didn’t this guy get out and run before he got so out of shape that he needed a cane?”
Moments later, my stomach churned like it does right after eating big greasy Philly cheese steak. My face flushes. Brother Haley relates to the class his multiple titles as coach of a state championship football team. He used to play to. He ran hard. He walked without a cane.

His active days were long gone, though. However, it wasn’t because he was lazy or had given up on the motto, “Fit for life.” Brother Haley had found, years previously, that he had a disease called Multiple Sclerosis, a disease in which human bones deteriorate and make it hard to walk.

I felt ashamed of my first impression but was glad that this shame motivated me to see beyond the initial idea that I had of this man who, more than anybody, would have been fit forever if he could have been.

I remember this story anytime I need to impress others. For speech givers facing an audience, look presentable and stay on topic, as previous blog posts have suggested. Smile yet be unique.

For those trying to land a job or pick up a date, be on time and remember that first impressions count.