This is a funny question to ask a person about themselves. I don’t know that I’m the best person to say what impression I give off!
It certainly would be way more accurate to ask other people what their first impression of me is.
(The author of the One Frugal Girl blog met me in real life at FinCon last year, and she told me that I am unbelievably quirky. Ha. So, there’s one small piece of data for you.)
I’ll try to answer the question myself, though.
I smile all the time, so I’m guessing that what people first think is that I am friendly. Of course, no one in public sees my smile anymore because of the mask, but I think it still shows through in my eyes.
At least, I hope it does!
I imagine that if I lead with a smile, then people might also get the impression that I am approachable and cheerful.
And I always hope that people will feel welcomed and at ease after meeting me.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to get a bunch of feedback about people’s impressions of you? It’d be fascinating to know if their impressions match up with the impression we THINK we give off.
I don’t think I used to make a very good first impression. My husband–who I met at my first job after college–told me everyone there thought I was intimidating. (Except him, but then he’s notably unafraid of ANYTHING. 🙂 I think that was a pretty common reaction, because I’m shy, so in situations like a new workplace where I didn’t know anyone, I just kind of kept my head down and, well, worked. I never liked all the happy hours and bars and all that that came along with that stage of life, which probably contributed to the aloof impression.
I’m conscious of that now, though, so in any new situation now I’m careful to engage a lot more. This is actually easier now that I have kids. They tend to break the ice pretty easily.
I don’t think anyone has ever met me and thought, “intimidating”. Ha.
I’m sure people would say I’m standoffish. My husband says my resting face isn’t inviting — not “get away from me” but “eh, I do not care to talk to you” — so that’s not fantastic. It’s an introvert thing for me and is related to that thing where small talk is excruciating. If someone engages me, I’ll do my best, but I’ll end up sounding kinda stupid, and since that’s not really fun for me, I do better keeping to myself.
I think friendly based on roles that I’ve been asked to volunteer for at church (building guide to help show new people where to go and sitting at the welcome desk). I do enjoy smiling at people and miss smiling at strangers.
I smile a lot so I think I’m inviting. When I was in Paris on a food tour the tour guide told an interesting fact. He said that the give sway about America tourists were that they “were always smiling too much!”
Is there such a thing? I like smiling!
Believe they may think she talks too much. One of my children said I ramble on a subject.Although I do smile to everyone. I was one in grade school that had to write 300-500 time “I must not talk in class.” ha
I have what they call “bitchy resting face” so I look like I am in a bad mood when I feel perfectly fine. I try to remember to smile but that takes a lot of thought! My first professional training/job was as a prosecutor, so my demeanor was probably perfect for that job. I think my face and personality are an acquired taste; I know that when my husband was first introduced to me he commented to a co-worker that I would be a horror to be married to! HA! Over 30 years later, he is still apologizing for that remark 🙂
You are quirky in the most beautiful way!
Aww, I knew you meant it as a compliment. <3
Years ago, offhand, one of my brother’s friends said something like, “When I met you, I just thought you were really friendly and approachable,” which SHOCKED me. I’d spent my teenage years feeling awkward and shy, and made a concerted effort in university to learn how to start conversations and make small talk. It was so strange to realize that the way I saw myself –still hopelessly awkward–and the way others saw me were so different!
Kristin, I really like your mask, the color and the way it fits under your eyes and across your nose. Does it have elastic ear loops or a tie…or what? I haven’t been able to find one that looks ok and feels reasonably ok. Info appreciated…
It’s got elastic ear loops, and I made it using the pattern at hellosewing.com. I made the Large size and if I made it again, I’d actually make the chin area a little longer. I have a somewhat long face, though!
Kristen, thank you for the info. I’m checking it out.