Do you size people up when you meet them?

[UmberHedgehog]

Be honest - when you meet someone new, do you find yourself quickly forming opinions about them based on their appearance, behaviour , or the first few things they say? I’ve been thinking about how much we subconsciously ‘size people up’ even if we try not to.

Is it just human nature to assess people like this or is it something we should try to stop doing? I’m curious if others do this and, if so, how aware of it you are. Do you think these snap judgments are accurate, or do they often turn out to be wrong?

I suppose so, yes. I mean, if someone looked dishevelled, angry, like they might smell bad, like they could be aggressive..then I'd obviously avoid them!

If someone seems quite open in their gestures and has an easy, natural seeming smile, a confident way of walking and standing, then I guess I might assume they were alright.

But when I think about that it could be ableist or something as some people look uncomfortable and unhappy because they've got health problems. Not because they are a horrible person. Or they are broke and depressed so don't look great visually.

I often find my first impression of someone is very wrong. So I do try and with hold judgement. As much as possible!

I agree. Is it trying too hard to appear "nice" and non-judgemental? I don't understand how it's possible to be such a bland person that you could be around the same people regularly, without having formed some sort of opinion about each of them... That's just a bit weird. And slightly worrying.

Try hard not to judge on appearance etc due to years working in social care. But a close neighbour, who was just vile - think money lenders -passed her home to a family member. Sadly they are cut from the same cloth. And yes, I judged as I wrongly thought the smiley, friendly, waving girl at the house was his partner. She was their cleaner.

His real partner called round at weekend. Gutted - aggressive, abrasive couldnt give a damn. Well dressed. Money does not buy you class. Please feel free to judge me for my judging.

I thought you meant like as if for a fight haha. I can tell when someone's extra smart quickly but I don't really know how

I do this all the time! Guilty as charged. I can be very judgemental which isn't a good quality

I'm not talking about resting bitch face. I'm talking about appearance in terms of clothing, hairstyle etc. Absolute giveaway in terms of politics and no, I don't see what's wrong with it. Pattern recognition is a useful skill to have.

Of course we do.We have all crossed the road or changed our direction to avoid someone. We have all withheld eye contact on appearance alone .

this appears to be a joke.😂