What matters most when making impressions, how you look, how you behave, or what you say?

Answer 1

How you look is first, but can be confirmed or blown to bits by how you behave, which can then be strentgthen or completely disassembled by what you say.

This goes either way--from bad impression to good impression. Some transitions are quicker than others, depending on expectations of the person you are making the impression on.

Answer 2

First impressions are what you present in the first 30 seconds. It involves all of the above, but you can form a first impression with somebody and never say a word or even be close. I think the whole thing is you appearing to fit into whatever you are trying to portray. For instance, if you want to be a cool-looking person who is hip and the very latest in street knowledge, you would not want to wear a suit and tie, and in like manner if you are meeting a banker or your potential in-laws your physical appearance will be the first and most important statement.

Do You Make Your First Impression Your Best Impression?
Within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance.
People appraise your visual and behavioral appearance from head to toe. They observe your demeanor, mannerisms, and body language and even assess your grooming and accessories – watch, handbag, briefcase. Within only three seconds, you make an indelible impression. You may intrigue some and disenchant others.

This first impression process occurs in every new situation. Within the first few seconds, people pass judgment on you – looking for common surface clues. Once the first impression is made, it is virtually irreversible.

The process works like this:

If you appear to be of comparable business or social level, you are considered suitable for further interaction.
If you appear to be of higher business or social status, you are admired and cultivated as a valuable contact.
If you appear to be of lower business or social standing, you are tolerated but kept at arm's length.
If you are in an interview situation, you can either appear to match the corporate culture or not, ultimately affecting the outcome.
It is human nature to constantly make these appraisals, in business and social environments.

You may hardly have said a word, however once this three-second evaluation is over, the content of your speech will not change it. When you make the best possible first impression, you have your audience in the palm of your hand. When you make a poor first impression, you lose your audience’s attention, no matter how hard you scramble to recover it.
You can learn to make a positive and lasting first impression, modify it to suit any situation, and come out a winner. Doing so requires you to assess and identify your personality, physical appearance, lifestyle and goals. Those who do will have the advantage.

Success comes to those with integrity, those that are resourceful, and those that make a fabulous impression!Guest author Michelle T. Sterling, AICI, is Principal and Founder of Global Image Group, a full-service consulting firm specializing in helping clients develop a strong first impression and brand identity, through wardrobe and image development, communication, etiquette and protocol skills.

Answer 3

All, of the above matter pretty much in equal degrees. You can look great but say something stupid. And you can look great and talk a good talk but behave badly...If you are looking for making impressions in an interview thiers are several great books on the subject. If its just day to day stuff be yourself ....friends want to get to know the real person and honestly in all my years there are many.... I have never met one that was excellent at all three all the time .

Answer 4

I'd have to say how a person behaves- reaction, tone of voice and eye movement. You can tell a lot from a person just by the eyes. The way a person looks can be deceiving-clean cut could be a killer, dirty man could be an angel!

Answer 5

Well...all of the above are very important-but I think what you say is the most important...although the initial impression comes from how you look and behave.

Sometimes people seem really cool until they open their mouths! Ya know?!?

Answer 6

55% Physiology, 38% tone of voice, 7% words make up the factors affecting communication

Answer 7

All of the above.

Answer 8

The most important thing to me is how you make the other person feel. Welcome, important, respected and loved.

Answer 9

Also the way you carry yourself.

Answer 10

I agree, all of them mentioned.