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First Impressions

Principles of Hospitality and TourismRisa McCann

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First Impressions CountYou never get a second chance to make a good first impression! So make the first first impression count!

The first impression occurs with 3 – 7 seconds of meeting someone!

How do you make the best impression?

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Smile & ShakeSMILE with your mouth, eyes and voice

Extend your hand to give a firm handshake

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Confidence

Be confident and outgoing Watch your body language

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Dress appropriate to the situation-remember ‘a picture is worth a thousand words!”

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• Use the other person’s name in conversation• Introductions have protocol that should be

followed.

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Let us take a closer look at each of the above points:

A smile should be sincere, and it should show up in your eyes as well as your mouth. Don’t ‘over-smile’ like a creeper or lose the smile too fast either! Practice with a mirror to hear your smile!

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The handshakeThe handshake is so important. Be the first to extend your right hand. Grasp with one hand the person’s hand, give a firm grip and 2 to 3 pumps. Let go. Do not wipe your hand on your clothing immediately after the shake!If they do not have a right hand, extend your left.

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ConfidenceConfidence is attractive, and an outgoing (but not brash) personality put others at ease. The tone of your voice should be sincere. To create a sense of trustworthiness, let the other person speak first, ask them a question and then listen and respond.

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Good postureGood posture (stand tall, sit tall) and not fidgeting (no hair twirling, nail biting, cuticle pulling, lip biting, etc.) both convey confidence and interest. Keep your hands out of your pockets!

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Appropriate dress • Dressing for a corporate job interview is very

different than dressing for a first date or your church Confirmation. Clothing should be clean, in good repair and fit you well. It should flatter but not reveal!

• Go easy on the perfume or cologne; soap and water, deodorant and toothpaste are GREAT hygiene tools to use

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Dress codes

There are different dress codes: Baseline casual, mainstream casual, traditional business casual, executive business casual, black tie formal. Know the appropriate dress for the situation and dress accordingly.

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The statement you makeEverything on your body makes a statement about you – jewelry, clothing, shoes, makeup, teeth, piercings and body art, etc.

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What Not to Wear?

If you are unsure about how to dress or present yourself for a certain situation do some research by asking others or “Google it.”

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Names matter! I like my name, and I like to hear my name being said! Using someone’s name during conversation shows that you are tuned into the conversation, that you are present with them! If you forget their name, ask with a simple phrase such as: “Please tell me your name again so that I can commit it to my memory” or “I have a hard time remembering names would you mind telling me your name again?”

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Names Matter!

Another tactic is to ask them to spell their name so you can visualize it. You could tell them yours at the first of the conversation and if they do not reciprocate immediately, go ahead and ask them their name.

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Be positive, courteous and attentive when conversing with others.

With introductions you always introduce the superior person to the inferior person. Superior means: older, higher in authority or rank, the friend you have known longer, etc.

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Inferior status

Inferior people would be those who are younger, newer friends or acquaintances, those who will be asking for a job from the superior person, those of lower rank or status.