Just imagine: you're going to an important meeting, mentally rehearsing the phrase "Good afternoon, nice to meet you," but instead you accidentally say something like "Scrawny... oh." And that's it, you're done - now you're not a mysterious person, but a person who "oohed" at the first word.

Or that case when you try to look confident at an interview, but suddenly get your age mixed up or forget the names of the months of the year. Of course, the melody of a winner is playing in your head, but on the outside you look like a candidate for the role of a forgetful professor. Sometimes the first impression is formed even before you have time to open your mouth. All you have to do is choose the wrong outfit and that's it, hello cliché. Wearing a business suit? "Boring office worker." Jeans and sneakers? "Is this a party?" I once showed up in a bright lemon-colored dress, and the entire meeting was filled with jokes about "the sun that brought a ray of light." But you know what's most interesting? Sometimes the first impression can be turned upside down if you have a good sense of humor. One of my friends, being late for a meeting, burst in with the phrase: "I would apologize, but I will say that you are lucky to see me in such an emergency mode." And, oddly enough, everyone laughed, and he was even praised for his originality. So, although you can't make a first impression twice, no one forbids you to correct it with a couple of good jokes. The main thing is not to be afraid to be yourself. And if something goes wrong, remember: legends are not born right away. Sometimes they need a second... well, third impression. Maria.