9/9 First Impressions

Hi! This is my first post of the term.

Brief, firm, warm; the start of fall term was about first impressions. It's always good to make a positive impression, as it may have a positive effect. For example, facial expression can determine ones mental condition. Those who look sick may possibly be sick. Those who are smiling all day should have had a good day. I agree to this commonly known psychological theory because I, myself, have first impressions of others. Ken, whom I met for the second time since our lecture from spring term, gave me(us) a warm, welcoming expression and attitude  when I entered the classroom. I immediately imagined a friendly educator that will support us throughout the term, and evaluate our efforts from an objective point of view. 

However, when we discussed about eye contact, later in the class, I reflected on something I knew; The Japanese tend to avoid direct eye contact, unalike Americans who look in the eye when speaking. Obviously, this seems like a cultural difference. Moreover, I saw on TV that it is natural for primates, even up to the sophisticated ones including humans, try to dodge the eyes because it can offend them. In my opinion, whether these are facts or a superstitions should be investigated, so I did a quick search. Here's what I found. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3596353/?tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
I guess TVs are not always wrong.

Another thing I thought about eye contact is where we look. Ken mentioned the center of the forehead, and t reminded me of the Hindi's red dots. What are they even for? Easier eye contact? Again, I searched for an answer, as it bugged me for a while.

The red dot is called "bindi", and they have several meanings.
http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/things/bindi.htm
http://www.harekrsna.de/Tilak.htm
According to the link, it can also be interpreted as an eye, so I guess gazing at it is quite natural in a way. The "bindi" is also a type of "tilak", so it is acting as a symbol to worship Shiva, the Hindi god who has 'the third eye'. Therefore, the red dots are not for eye contact, but for religious purpose that coincided to be easy to catch sight.

Now I think I fully mastered first impressions. I feel ready for new encounters.