When we meet someone for the first time, we make a quick assessment of the person and what they represent. In fact, did you know that a first impression is formed in an average of 7 to 17 seconds? That first impression is very important because it quickly reveals whether the person could be dangerous or, on the contrary, someone we can trust.
Obviously, we often overthink things and attribute personality traits to that first impression. This way, we decide whether we have common ground with that person and they’re worth getting to know, or whether, on the contrary, it’s better to stay away from them.
Of course, many of these attributions may be erroneous and even arbitrary, but since most people operate in social settings based on that first impression, it’s important to make sure we’re sending the right message.
What do we usually look at when judging a stranger?
1. The color of your clothes is your calling card
Beyond the style of clothing you wear, which says a lot about your personality, values, and priorities in life, color is the first visual signal that impacts other people and one of their points of reference when trying to unravel your personality. For example, yellow clothing conveys energy, happiness, and a desire to share, while black clothing can reveal a sensitive, introverted, detail-oriented person who doesn’t easily share their life with others. It has also been observed that red is associated with tenacity and strength, while white indicates a person with a strong practical sense who doesn’t like to beat around the bush.
2. Shoes are much more than just shoes
A curious study conducted at the University of Kansas found that we can discover someone’s main personality traits with a 90% accuracy rate just by looking at the shoes they usually wear. In this study, they asked 63 volunteers to look at 208 pairs of shoes frequently worn by different people and to fill out a personality questionnaire in which they attempted to capture the main characteristics of the owners of those shoes. Links were made between bright colors and extroversion, practical and functional shoes with a desire to please, ankle boots with aggressive traits, and new, well-maintained shoes with anxiety and perfectionism.
3. The eyes are the mirror of the soul, for better or worse
It’s said that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, especially the pupils, which send different messages. In any case, it’s one of the clues we use to try to uncover the personality and intentions of the person in front of us. In fact, our eyes can reveal whether we’re thinking, loyal, or prone to deceit. A lack of eye contact is also considered to reveal a person who’s insecure, weak-willed, or trying to hide something. Some studies indicate that we think people with blue eyes are more pleasant and outgoing, while people with brown eyes are more trustworthy.
4. A handshake says more about you than you think
The handshake is one of the most universal forms of greeting. Interestingly, we express our personality through this seemingly “insignificant” gesture. In fact, a study conducted at the University of Illinois revealed that when we see or receive a handshake, the area of our brain related to social evaluation is activated. It has been found that people who give a firm handshake convey confidence and reflect a strong character. These people are generally extroverted, who have no problem expressing their emotions but are not exactly easygoing. On the contrary, people who give a weak handshake are often seen as insecure and prone to taking the easy way out.
5. Nails reveal your habits, ergo, your personality
Our habits can say a lot about who we are. And the way our bodies react to them is a clue to the people we encounter every day. For example, a study conducted at the University Institute of Mental Health in Montreal revealed that people who tend to bite their nails are not only prone to nervousness, irritability, and anxiety, but are also very perfectionistic. Furthermore, the cleanliness and care we give to our nails also reveal how much we value the approval of others and how important self-care is to us.
References:
Roberts, S. et. Al. (2015) The impact of emotions on body-Focused repetitive behaviors: Evidence from a non-treatment-seeking sample. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry; 46: 189–197.
Kleisner, K. et. Al. (2013) Trustworthy-Looking Face Meets Brown Eyes. PLoS One; 8(1).
Gillath, O. et. Al. (2012) Shoes as a source of first impressions. Journal of Research in Personality; 46(4): 423–430.
Dolcos, S. (2012) The Power of a Handshake: Neural Correlates of Evaluative Judgments in Observed Social Interactions. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience; 24(12): 2292-2305.
Gardiner, E. & Jackson, C. (2010) Eye color predicts disagreeableness in North Europeans. Current Psychology; 29(1): 1-9.
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