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How To Bounce Back From A Bad First Impression
How to bounce back from a bad first impression: We all know that first impressions are important, but what happens when you've made a bad first impression? VideoJug will show you how to bounce back from that bad first impression in style.
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Step 1:
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Don't beat yourself up
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It's important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and says things they wish they hadn't. Don't magnify the situation in your head. Most people will give you a chance to redeem yourself and show them the person you really are. We'll show you how.
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Step 2:
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The failed joke
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It sounded hilarious in your head - but for some reason no-one else seems to agree.
The failed joke might seem like social suicide, but it is redeemable. The simple trick here is to not let it bother you. It is important to recognise that your joke was not funny. If a mirthless silence descends, close it with a self-debasing phrase such as "It sounded funny in my head"; or "Wow, that wasn't funny at all". Then quickly move on to something else. Don't let a tumbleweed moment linger.
Don't try too hard to make up for it and convince people you really are funny.
Instead, relax, keep quiet and wait a while before trying to make another crack. In a very short space of time, people will completely forget your failed joke and their impression of you will be formed on who you are rather than what you said.
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Step 3:
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Inadvertent offence
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It may be that your well-intentioned comment has done more than fail; it may even have offended a new acquaintance.
If this is the case there are several steps you can follow to bounce back.
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Step 4:
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Stop digging
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At the moment the words have left your mouth, the damage is done. A common mistake is to immediately try and justify what's been said.
This invariably results in creating even more of a problem for yourself. Don't dig your way into a giant hole of social disapproval.
Instead, once you've realised your mistake, stop. Apologise immediately and sincerely. But keep it brief and then move on. Walk away, talk to someone else, or offer to get a drink.
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Step 5:
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Give them space
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Accept that you have offended that person, and hounding them for the rest of the evening isn't going to earn you a place in their good books.
Leave them alone, and get to know some other people.
After a suitable period - towards the end of the party, for example - approach them again. -
This time, speak to them one-to-one. Don't try to over-explain anything, but offer a sincere and considered apology for your thoughtless comment.
For more advice on apologising, watch VideoJug's http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-apologise -
Hopefully your sincere apology will have convinced the offended party that you aren't a horrible person, and in future they will be willing to give you a second chance.
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