Have you ever met someone for the first time, and because of something they did, or the way the carried themselves, made pre-judgements about that person? That's a normal and typical human response; it's something that just happens subconsciously.

When we first meet someone, the brain looks for visual details, such as their physical appearance, body language, or any kind of familiarity to associate with. This is a natural process the brain goes through in order to organize the details of someone and immediately form an impression. This impression is like a guide on how to act around this person. Despite how much we try to remain impartial in the way we interact with that person, we tend to base how we act around that initial guide that we form when we meet them. It is an association that doesn't die easily.

For someone who has generally introverted tendencies when meeting new people, it's sometimes difficult to exude the positivity and openness that you feel about meeting someone when you first meet them. You never know what kind of people you'll meet. You may not know whether this person will be a friend or a foe when you meet them, but having a good first impression is so crucial in determining whether you will have a meaningful relationship/ friendship with that person.

For those introverts out there; being there and not saying anything is not enough. Doing everything to contribute to the conversation,or whatever is happening is a good way to make a good impression. If you are seen as a contributor, people take you seriously, they will notice your presence. Being careful about the kind of image you present to people is like being careful about your psychological hygiene. Practice it regularly to improve, maintain, and continue to make more valuable friendships/ relationships every day.