Friday, July 06, 2007

Impressionists

People talk about how important it is to make a good first impression, especially in the employment and dating scenes. I guess there's some merit in that. But sometimes first impressions aren't cast in stone and are subject to change. A positive first impression can transform into a negative after-impression and vice-versa.

Take, for instance, me and the girl in the hat. (Yours truly is the one in the red-and-green striped shirt. Pardon the hair -- this was in 1988 after all and I was too young to know better.)


For some reason we disliked each other on sight. We were staying in the same dormitory when we were college freshmen. There was never any obvious hostility between us, but the snide comments we exchanged whenever we encountered each other were probably more toxic than open, outright warfare. But (and I don't remember how) we grew to like each other as the days went by. So much so that we chose to become roommates the succeeding years. She's in many of my happiest memories of those days long gone. We'd go to class together and cut class together; she'd cry on my shoulder and I'd cry on hers (teenage female hearts were so easily bruised by male teenagers, the bastards); she'd hold my head while I was throwing up because I'd had one beer too many, and I'd be puking along with her when she'd had one too many; and the laughter, the side-splitting laughter we couldn't help indulging in over everything and nothing. Happy times. We still keep in touch, and I see her whenever she comes home (she lives in the US now with her family). If I had stuck to first impressions, I would have missed out on those experiences.

Then there's this guy. I wouldn't say I hated him with a passion, but I really, REALLY disliked him when I first came to know of him. His live performances (the ones I saw on television anyway) sucked, in my opinion. All he had going for him were his looks and some sound studio magic. It'll be the end of the world before I could ever get to liking him, I remember thinking.

But after years of intense dislike, he's grown on me. Now, much as I would like to deny it, I can't help admitting that I like him. How it happened, how the hell should I know. I just hope this isn't a signal that the Apocalypse is upon us. Good Lord, please, no! I haven't even been to Europe yet!



(This song is for Nunu's Mum. Not saying I disliked her on sight, on the contrary! She's a fab lady and I liked her from the get-go. But this song just reminds me of her somehow. I wonder why, PinB? ;-) Haha!)

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have found that people I get on well with immediately often seem a little boring quite quickly.....and sometimes not. I think that has made my position clear. Oh, and the other way round as well of course.

Lizza said...

Somehow that perturbs me. We got along well rather quickly, didn't we? Or did we? Hmmm...

Nikki Neurotic said...

I'm almost absolutely certain that I annoyed my best friend Kevin when we first met. Somehow though, I won him over. :)

Tammie Jean said...

Yes, first impressions can change. I can think of at least 2 people I hated at first but became friends with (after explaining to them why I thought they were jerks. They both took my constructive criticism well)

But sometimes bad first impressions can leave a very bad taste in your mouth that's hard to wash away.

Odat said...

I've had that experience too...It's taught me to give some time to relationships before I give up or for that matter, give in....:-)

Peace

Anonymous said...

Uy, inday, gulat naman ako. May didication pa ko! Kaso di ko naman ma-play day! Beri curious naman....

I totally agree with you on first impressions. Unfortunately it makes or breaks potential careers, relationships, and everyday opportunities just like that. People tend to put such a high premium on first impressions. I, for one am guilty of the sin.

I LIKED the Robster at first sight! Para akong kinurot sa ******* when I first laid eyes on him on a black and white video (can't remember which track). It was his songs that I found rather too popsy for my liking but I'd have to disagree with you on his live performances. Man, this boy can truly entertain. I've yet to see another artist who's got a stronger stage presence than the Robster. Which is why his got one of the most attended concerts in the world not to mention sold outs.

Eniwey, email mo naman sakin yung track o! Or leave it on msn.

Salamat sa didikisyon ko day ha!

Dan said...

Wonderful examples of how first impressions aren't that important at all. I can't tell you how many times I grew to love someone way beyond how I felt about them at the first meeting ... which is often so superficial anyway.

Nice post Lizza!

Travis Cody said...

First impressions can be important, but I don't think they are the be-all-end-all of getting to know people.

Everyone can have a bad day and that shouldn't be held against them.

Lizza said...

silverneurotic: And I'm betting Kevin is thanking his lucky stars he got over the initial annoyance.

Tammie Jean: It's weird and sad how we can all be so judgmental. Thankfully, we can make reparations.

Odat: Now why do you make giving in sound so much like fun? ;-)

PinB: Hay naku ate, ewan ko ba. He just rubbed me the wrong way (naks, parang close kami no?)

Sige, send ko sa iyo yung kanta pag nagtagpo ulit tayo sa msn.

Dan: You're such a loving guy. And I can't imagine you giving a bad first impression to anyone -- even from behind. *wink wink*

Travis: Thank heavens for that. I'd hate for anyone to dislike me the first time just because I was having a bad hair day. :-)

iz said...

I kinda like the hair! And I loooove Robbie Williams. Yes yes I know I'm uncool!

Anonymous said...

We get along well? I didn't realise that - you live and learn.

Anonymous said...

Iz: Apparently I'm the uncool one for not liking Robbie immediately. :-)

DaddyP: Hmpf! Well, you're never too old to learn.

Anonymous said...

First impressions count most of the time but somehow it can be altered later on. That is what I think.

By the way, you look really, really different over there in the photo!

(:

Debo Blue said...

I often misjudge people at first meeting because I'm such an untrusting and guarded person.

Being fat does that to you.

Because I'm so afraid the person will instantly judge me on my outward appearance, I tend to be very standoffish until I've relaxed around that person.

You'll LOVE Europe, by the way:-)

little things said...

My first impressions are usually wrong. I hate to admit it, but it's true.
And wow...when did Robbie Williams start looking like THAT?

Schmoop said...

People always instantly like me...no, really. Cheers Lizza.

Natalia said...

I am waiting for some people to grow on me. But they just don't seem to.

-N

Anonymous said...

Hmpf! I wouldn't have known how to spell that - perhaps 'Hmmpf' might have shown a little more bristle, which would indicate we're still talking - thank heavens

Anonymous said...

I love it when you bristle

Lizza said...

Kyels: That photo was taken half a lifetime ago, haha! But much of the girl I was then is still inside me, snoring away.

Debo: We're opposites when it comes to that. I trust too much too soon. Sometimes I'd rather have it your way. Thanks! I think I'd like Europe. :-)

Marlayna: I've been way off-target a few times. And I have no idea when Robbie started looking like that. It's a lot better than the boy-band look, I must say.

Matt: Well, maybe to Schmoop and Corky (though Corky's not a person, technically speaking). Haha! Kidding Matt. We all know you're such a lovable dude.

DaddyP: Hmpf! *blowing a big, fat raspberry at you while fueling your blog*

houseband00 said...

I love the mystery and magic of that first glimpse. Also the colorful vibrance in recalling it.

=)

H said...

Oh no. that hairdo totally becomes you. very charming. so is the cutie [boy] on your left. [on the right for me].

RObbie Williams. are you kidding? I think he's really dirty hot.

Anonymous said...

HB: Depends if that first glimpse is worth remembering! I'm sure your first glimpse of M was. :-) Musta na, pare?

H: Haha, I wonder where that guy is now? He wasn't part of the gang; that was a class trip taken when I was still in school, he was part of the class. The three people on my right were part of my group of friends back then. They're still my friends, but two of them now live abroad.

houseband00 said...

Mabutete naman, Liz. =)

Ok na cel mo?

Gumby said...

OMG I love me my Robbie...

A little over a year ago, I was doing a show, and we lost a cast member. One of the people being considered as a replacement was someone who I knew 'of' but wasn't really friends with. And I always thought he was an arrogant little snot - and I always felt intimidated by him too. Well, he took the part, and I thank my stars to this day that he did, because we became good friends, and now my world lights up when we end up in the same room. First impressions can definitely be misleading!

Lizza said...

HB: Hindi pa rin. Dadalhin ko na lang sa virra mall, haha! Sobrang mahal sa motorola mismo eh.

Gumby: Yes, I remember you mentioning that before. :-D

Funny how people aren't really what they seem to be the first time around. Glad you ignored first impressions and gained a new friend.