DATING ADVICE
What Makes a Good First Impression in Online Dating?
First impressions last.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already heard of this saying before. That’s because it’s generally a fact of life.
When you meet somebody for the first time, your first impression of that person is usually what you’ll associate them with — thanks to what is called the primacy effect.
The primacy effect is basically how you remember certain things in a sequence. For example, if you see someone for the first time and you notice their beautiful silky hair, you’re more likely to remember that feature and associate it with the person than the other features you’ll eventually get to know about them.
So if you think about that person, the first thing that comes to mind might be their beautiful, silky hair, and not their favorite food.
That’s why showcasing your best first impression in dating is crucial, especially online. You’ll want your potential partner to remember your best features, so you’d want to showcase them before anything else.
So how do you make a good first impression in online dating when your interactions on the platform are limited?
You have to work on yourself if you want to make a great first impression on someone you really like to date online. Understand that this is not a quick process. You have to be fully aware of what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behavior on social media or any platform. After all, one wrong move is enough to ruin your dating life and your reputation online.
For instance, if you come off as too strong, people will remember you as aggressive, and will likely avoid talking or interacting with you.
Making an attempt to make them laugh is one way to start on the right foot. A sense of humor is regarded as one of the most desirable qualities in a person. It conveys an impression that you are a likable person because you know how to have fun.
You need to remember to set limits to your humor, though. Take caution not to confuse being playful with being nasty. Even with the best of intentions, a bad joke can give the other person a bad impression.
In online dating, your worries should be about what topics to talk about. How do you dive into it? How do you end it without seeming rude? And how can you leave an impression through chat?
This can be done by replying quickly to their messages.
Research shows that most women lose interest if men wait too long to reply. Providing a quick response gives someone the validation of their presence. It makes you appear interested in the conversation and that’s what most people prefer.
Responding quickly does not take too much of an effort. It’s the bare minimum, however, it can leave someone with a positive impression of you that can last a lifetime.
Lastly, take initiative. Cut the traditional beliefs on who should message first. We’ve already transitioned to modern dating where old notions are barely applied. If you’re a woman, stop thinking that only men are obliged to make the first move. And if you’re a man, drop the “playing hard to get” act. You’re not needy just because you take initiative.
Reference:
Roscioli, Laura. 2022. A Psychologist on the Power of the First Impression When it Comes to Online Dating
https://www.popsugar.com.au/living/how-to-make-a-good-first-impression
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