<p>tips, experiences, anything you'd mind sharing.</p>
<p>Could you be a bit more specific? Are you trying to make a good impression during a job interview or to a future roomate? To a college admissions counselor? To a potential gf/bf's parents? I think tips/advice/experiences tend to vary a lot depending upon the scenario.</p>
<p>talking in complete sentences. making eye contact.
other than that it's hard to say without more details.</p>
<p>Wear sunglasses. Nobody knows what you are looking at, so they will be on their best behavior in front of you.</p>
<p>It adds a grim aura.</p>
<p>Smile like you mean it.</p>
<p>laugh heartily at any jokes they make</p>
<p>good body language
don't slouch
listen to what the person says
eye contact, but don't look like a psycho with staring
a decent handshake
smell nicely
brush your teeth</p>
<p>Impression on who? It varies depending on who your target is.</p>
<p>perhaps i should specify...it's a girl.</p>
<p>-shower every day (some college kids put this off)
-change every day
-don't look like a bum, buy new clothes every once in a while
-don't sit in the corner and act antisocial</p>
<p>-when you approach her, don't just stand there looking dumb for a while to gather up your courage. after a few seconds your window of opportunity is closed and you'll look creepy
-stand near her but don't learn into her
-smile
-don't look at the ground, don't touch her
-think of something quick to say like hey i noticed u were.....etc or do you want to study for ..... or want to come out for....
-be ready to type her cell # into urs, but dont whip it out before she gives it to you</p>
<p>damn i dont know. thats all off the top of my head. be social. dress well. no one likes a weirdo.</p>
<p>gets lots of practice doing it and observe how others make a good first impression.
what has already been said are some great ideas.
honestly, if you can just start a conversation with the girl and keep it going, that will be your best bet. try and feel her out socially and find ways to connect with the things she is interested. if she shares something with you, try and relate to it. people prefer those who are similar to them, so anything you can do to point out your similarities will help in making a good impression.
Additionally, listening and social sensitivity skills are really important. basically, pay attention to what she is saying with both her words AND her actions -- i.e., if it's late and she keeps conversing but you notice she keeps looking at the clock and/or at the door, you might (assuming you also notice she seems to trust you now) offer her your jacket and offer to take her to her car, etc.
remember... as was said, you don't want to be "waiting" to enter the conversation -- and here's why: first impressions are made within 30 seconds to 5 minutes of first seeing and interacting with someone. If you spend those first 30 seconds staring at her and trying to build up courage, THAT WAS your first impression, so now you're just the weirdo trying to join the group after staring at them for a couple of minutes! ;-)</p>
<p>the jacket offering part on the first meeting might be a bit much...
unless she's acting like she's freezing.</p>
<p>the rest of the above post is great advice though!</p>
<p>i agree with everything in your post except
-be ready to type her cell # into urs, but dont whip it out before she gives it to you</p>
<p>your always better giving the girl your number + telling her when to call you</p>
<p>Don't stare at the girl...it creeps me out when guys stare at me...</p>
<p>Good luck! :>)</p>