7 Common Mistakes to Avoid You Make When You Meet New People

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid You Make When You Meet New PeopleFirst impressions are incredibly important. Dont botch yours by making silly mistakes that undermine your chances of being taken seriously. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Wondering whether you might be making any of these totally avoidable errors? Double check your meeting-new-people routine and make sure you arent falling victim to any of these faux pas.1. Me me me me meTalking too much about yourself can be veryoff-putting. Youve been in that situationsuffering a seemingly endless monologue from some contact whose hand youve only just shaken. Its an easy trap to fall into, particularly when youre meant to be networking and selling yourself.Remember to take a step back every now and then and ask some questions about the person you are speaking with. And keep in mind that dominance is leid the same as confidence. You can let the conversation be more equal and still project the confidence and control youve been working so hard to cultivate.2. NotTalking About YourselfAlmost as schwimmbad as droning on and on about yourself is not talking about yourself enough. Dont make the other person do all of the conversational heavy-lifting. Dont give one word answers to thoughtful questions. Dont be evasive, etc.3. Complaining All the TimeIf youre just meeting someone, the last thing you want is to give the impression that youre a moaner. Try to keep it positive, at least for the first half an hour of your acquaintance. You can complain to your family and friends all you like. Keep professional settings positive.4. Buying the First RoundYou may think that youre ingratiating yourself to a group youve just met by offering to bring drinks for everyone back from the bar. But it can actually be more beneficial to a new connection for them to feel like they are doing you a favor. Let someone else grab your drink, then thank them warmly. No need to be the waitress or the st ar. Just focus on the impression you most want to make.5. Not Being Up-FrontSometimes you meet someone youve been following online. Its awkward and problematic to pretend you dont know things that you do. Be open about how youve made their Internet acquaintancethis will give you something extra to chat about more naturally. And the same goes for not pretending you know more about someone youve been introduced to than you do. In these, as in so many cases, honesty is best.6. Over-ComplimentingYou may want to impress someone, but being too complimentary can actually freak people out. And will definitely make you look like youre just sucking up. Try to keep it as genuine as possible.7. Getting Too PersonalThink of a networking event or opportunity as a first date. Keep things on a somewhat even and considered keel. There will be time for oversharing if you develop a real friendship or connection. Try not to overwhelm your new connection right off the bat.