Zen of Jen

Quick! Make a First Impression!

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  But you also only have A FEW SECONDS to make that first impression.

A survey found that the average person makes a first impression in just 27 seconds after meeting someone else.  And about one-in-three people usually make first impressions in under 10 seconds.

What can you tell about someone in just a few seconds?

Obviously, you notice their appearance.  But some other things people say they notice are:  A friendly smile . . . good manners . . . eye contact . . . punctuality . . . being conversational . . . and dressing well.

If you’re interacting with a stranger, a first impression may be your ONLY impression . . . but there are times when it’s more impactful, like a job interview, a date, or meeting someone important in a friend or family member’s life.

But keep in mind that no one makes a good impression 100% of the time.  In the survey, the average person said they think they make a good impression 45% of the time.

Recent Headlines

5 hours ago in Entertainment

A guide to the bookstores owned by your favorite authors

Amazon remains the dominant force, but physical, brick-and-mortar stores have rebounded — and stores owned by authors such as Ann Patchett are now a niche unto themselves, found everywhere from Brooklyn to New Mexico.

5 hours ago in Entertainment

YouTuber box office boom: ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ draw Gen Z to theaters

Young audiences turned out in droves to movie theaters around the country this weekend. It wasn't for the big budget "Star Wars" movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu, " which fell sharply in its second weekend, however, but for a small budget horror from a 20-year-old first-time filmmaker that began on the internet.

7 hours ago in Community, Education, Entertainment, Food & Music, Lifestyle, Local

Newark Valley High School to host two-night spring concert

The Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Concert Chorus will take the stage tonight.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Regional, Sports

Report: Odell Beckham Jr. to work out for Giants

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will work out for the Giants today.

9 hours ago in Community, Lifestyle, Local, Politics

Tompkins County faces $9.8 million deficit in 2027

Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Akumfi says they will "need to either find savings in expenses, or find increases in revenues" to deal with the deficit in the budget.