first impressions.

how accurate are first impressions? i've been thinking about this since i heard my friend's first impression of me yesterday. long story short, he thought i was a "si gi na" (i would translate this loosely as immature) when he first met me.

i am very quick to judge, and to form first impressions of people. whilst my vibes about people are usually pretty accurate, there were times when my judgements have been very wrong - thus proving just how wrong first impressions can be.

i hated one of my closest and dearest friends on sight. when i first met her, she was very quiet, very sullen, and very curt. qualities which i found a major turn off. but beyond her moody exterior, mich is an extremely good listener. she was always there when i needed her to be, and always said the right things at the right time. at the same time, she's a mad, mad woman, and was always up for a good bitching / gossip session.

i met jo when i was a teacher. my first impression of her was a carefree tai-tai who spends her husband's money on branded apparels and accessories. wrong. jo is one of the toughest and shrewdest businesswomen i know. in addition to running her own business and helping out with her husband's, jo is a full-time mother. she's capable beyond belief. every cent she's spent, she's earned it.

my first impressions of some of my closest friends were completely wrong!

but often times, i am the misunderstood one. "si gi na" being one of them. i'm sure a part of me will always be a "si gi na", but i don't think it's who i am. i've been thought to be arrogant, cold and unfriendly. hello, i'm like how friendly can? BUT, i'm not a social whore. i actually do feel a little shy and nervous in an unfamiliar social setting. for some reason though, people laugh when i tell them that. i feel so maligned.

i guess first impressions aside, you really have to give a person some time to find out what he / she is really like.