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We generally put the burden of a good first impression on the one putting forth the effort. While the scales may tip that way, there is also a responsibility for the person to whom a first impression is made. Yes, there is value in being attentive, respectful, and conscientious when making a first impression; however, those same values are important when someone is trying to make a good first impression on us.
I’m certain you’ve heard of The Beatles, but what about Mike Smith and Dick Rowe? Smith was an executive at Decca Records. His first impression of The Beatles was to reject them. Rowe, his junior colleague, agreed, and he added, “Guitar groups are on their way out.” Instead, he chose to sign Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. Remember them? No, you don’t!
We may never be in the situation to give or receive a first impression on that level, but we may find ourselves in one like Dodie Gadient faced. A schoolteacher for 13 years, Dodie decided to travel across America and see the places she had taught to her students. Towing a camper behind her Chevy truck, she began her journey. On I-5 near Sacramento, in rush-hour traffic, a water hose blew. She was tired, scared and alone. Despite the traffic jam she caused, nobody stopped to help.
Leaning against the camper, she began to pray, “Please God, send me an angel.” Minutes later, a big Harley Davidson motorcycle wheeled up. On it was an enormous man sporting long black hair, a beard and arms covered in tattoos. With an air of confidence, he jumped off and, without glancing at Dodie, went to work on the truck. After a few minutes, he flagged down a larger truck, attached a tow chain to Dodie’s Chevy, and moved the 56-foot rig safely away from traffic then calmly returned to work. Dodie was too dumbfounded to talk. As he finished the task, she mustered the courage to say, “Thanks so much.” Noticing her surprise at the whole ordeal, he looked her in the eye and said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover. You may not know who you’re talking to.” Then he smiled, closed the hood of the truck, straddled his Harley, gave her a wave and was gone.
Oh, the challenge of a first impression! Meet a new person and we’re capable of measuring them using our own set of standards based on their job, their home, their skin color, their style of dress, their hair, their age, and our values. That first impression, made in a few minutes, can become our perception of a person, sometimes for good, sometimes not so good.
I’m thankful for the times the first impression I gave did not prevent someone from being attentive, respectful and conscientious toward me. I’d like to think I’ve learned to do the same, but I’ve been guilty of falling short more than a few times. One good lesson to learn is to be careful when jumping to conclusions: jumping is easy, but the landing may sting.
Give your best always. Give patience and grace to others. Cut yourself a little slack, too. And remember, you are greatly loved!
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (3/16/2026)
