Gut Don't Lie!

First impressions. How much weight should they hold when meeting someone? How good are we at making correct interpretations of others during the first impression period?

I had a situation where i was introduced to someone at work and my instincts immediately flagged the person as a fake. I tried to look beyond that and attempt to see the person as more than what my gut said, but it was such a strong impression.

So what bugged me about the person? They spoke like a preschool teacher. You know, someone pouring on the sugar and continued to speak in a condescending tone - even is only slightly. I have me this type of person hundreds of time in the past and they are most always an evil bitter person playing nice.

I tried to shake my gut feeling and give the person the benefit of the doubt. i really tried! However, I later accidentally heard this person speaking badly of another and it was like my instincts telling my brain, "I told you so!"

Now I must play nice and use the techniques I have learned over the years to deal with this person. That means lots of smiles and only small talk and to basically avoid the person, because nothing good comes from befriending that type of personality.

Sad, I did not think I would run into that type in the military - lesson learned.