How long does a first impression take? About a tenth of a second
By Yogesh Pandey · 22 October 2026 · 2 min read
About a tenth of a second. In a Princeton study, researchers flashed faces at people for a tenth of a second each and asked whether the person looked trustworthy. People had already decided. You cannot even say “hi” that fast, so your first line is not your first impression. Your face is.
The line you rehearsed in the cab
You spent the whole ride rehearsing your first line. “Hi, I’m…, I lead the…” But the verdict on how trustworthy you look can be in before you open your mouth.
What the research found
Researchers at Princeton flashed faces at people, a tenth of a second each, just a flash, and asked: does this person look trustworthy? People had already decided.
You are not bad at first impressions. You are working on the wrong part of them.
What I do instead
Here is how I make a first impression: I say nothing for one second. Walk in. Stop. Look at them. Breathe. Then say hi.
The calmer you walk in, the less you have to prove later.
- Tomorrow, in the first room you walk into, give it one full second before you speak.
- Stop, look at them, breathe, then say hi.
Source: Willis & Todorov (2006), Psychological Science 17, Princeton.
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