5 Ways to Make a Good First Impression

You’re new in town and it’s been a while since you’ve needed to impress anyone. Well, since you’re starting over, it’s time to brush off those social skills.

To make a positive first impression, follow these five simple body language tips.

Body Language for Making A Good First Impression

You can wow people in your new city by using what I call the SNEAK attack. With a SNEAK attack, it’s easy. You don’t even need to say anything.

1. Smile

Smiling opens the door to conversations.

The first step in making a positive impression is to smile. When you smile, you light up. Your smile is contagious and others want to smile with you. By smiling you seem more approachable to others and they are more likely to want to interact with you. Smile at your work colleagues, your neighbors, and people you encounter on errands. You want others to know you are friendly and looking to meet people. A smile opens the door to conversations.

2. Neat

Avoid clothing that tells others to back off.

Dress neatly regardless of whether your style is artsy, preppy, or eclectic. Make the effort to look nice even if you are running to the grocery or to the DMV. You never know when you will bump into someone you may want to befriend. Avoid clothing that tells others that you want to be left alone, such as offensive T-shirts, chains, or ripped clothing. Even if that style is in vogue, others may feel intimated by your appearance. People make judgment calls based on appearance since it’s the first information that is available to them. Leave them with a positive first impression of you.

3. Eye contact

Eye contact shows you are listening.

Your gorgeous eyes will get people’s attention. To make a good first impression, concentrate on making eye contact with others. This shows that you care and that you are interested. When you smile at someone, he will know the smile is meant for him if you make eye contact as well. Make an effort to notice the eye color of the people you meet as a way to practice making eye contact. If prolonged eye contact makes you feel uncomfortable, look at the other person’s nose or mouth and then return to making eye contact.

4. Arms Open  

Don’t cross your arms.

Open arms show you are open to meeting new friends.

Your body language gives signals to others about whether you are approachable or not. For example, when you cross your arms, you assume a defensive posture. This tells others you are not interested in talking. It doesn’t matter that you are cold and simply trying to stay warm. The signal sent is a negative one. So, uncross your arms and face your heart to the other person’s heart. If you are standing, keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips or by your side. If you are sitting, keep your legs uncrossed. Using these open postures sends signals to others that you are approachable.

5. Kindness

Frankly, it’s hard to be mean or rude when you are smiling, making eye contact, and with your arms open. Make every effort to be kind and friendly. Hold doors open for strangers. Be conscious of your manners by using all those magic words your mother harped on when you were a kid. Be enthusiastic and relaxed while acting interested in others. Keep any negative thoughts about your new city or your new situation to yourself for now.

By using these five easy body language SNEAK attack tips, you’re well on your way to meeting new people in town. Remember Smile, Neat, Eye Contact, Arms Open, and Kindness.