Have Others Judged You Based On a Small Thing?
A few weeks ago, I bought a pair of used powder skis, and have been skiing on them ever since. The skis were made right here in Park City, Utah by a great company called RAMP (Riders Artists Musicians Project). They have changed my image more than my skiing.
Don't get me wrong, I love the skis. But what's interesting is how the skis have changed the way other people interact with me.
I've taken about 1,000 chairlift rides this year with my K2 skis. Not one person asked me how I like them. But one out of three local skiers ask me about my Ramps. One guy even caught up to me while we were skiing and shouted, "Hey man, how do you like those Ramps?"
Although my skiing, clothing and manner haven't changed, locals now assume I am a local, because I'm skiing on beat up, locally-made Ramp skis.
This experience has caused me to wonder what other little details cause others to make judgments about you?
Human beings are pattern recognition machines. Based on her past experience, a waitress may make a snap judgment about whether the couple just seated in her section will leave a good tip, or not. A doctor may take one look at a patient and think: this person is a complainer, prone to exaggeration.
This means that people are constantly making judgments about you... whether you are smart or dumb, kind or selfish, rich or poor, and open-minded or opinionated.
We can't go through life trying to be something we are not, but my new (old) Ramp skis make me realize that small changes can make a big difference, especially if you make those changes for the right reasons.
I've been craving a pair of Ramp Peacepipe skis for over a year, and bought them instantly when I spied a used pair just the right size. It never crossed my mind that they might make it easier to make new friends or to strike up conversations; that's just a side benefit.
But now that I'm reminded how small changes can impact the way that people respond to you, I'm curious what your experience has been?
Truth be told, I didn't write this article just to tell you about my skis. I wrote it so you can tell me - and other readers - how a small change impacted the way that others perceived and/or interacted with you.
Please tell us... what's your story?
Bruce Kasanoff is a ghostwriter for entrepreneurs. Learn more at Kasanoff.com. He is the author of How to Self-Promote without Being a Jerk.
Internal Audit, Business Process, and GRC professional.
9yAll the time! People react differently to me when wearing my motorcycle jacket and carrying my helmet. But that, like your skis, is a major change. Sometimes a shirt or a pen will do the same, although not with so many.
B2B Sales | Customer Success | AI | Coach and Mentor | Outdoor Enthusiast.
9ySkiers are the worst ;) and by worst I mean we are some of the most elitist, judgmental, opinionated, egotistical, and selfish people out there. We also are some of the most fun loving mountain folks to ever grace the face of the earth... oh wait, this was about perception? Not skiing??
There's a book about this called "Blink," by Malcolm Gladwell. You should check it out!