Final answer:
Initial impressions of a person are often formed within seconds to minutes, based on quick assessments of physical attributes and stereotypes. These impressions can evolve through continued interaction and familiarity, highlighting the complexity of how we perceive and judge others.
Step-by-step explanation:
When individuals meet someone for the first time, the process of forming an impression typically happens very quickly, often within seconds to minutes. LibreTexts notes that initial reactions to people are often based on quickly assessed physical attributes such asrace, gender, and age, which can influence predispositions and stereotypes. Meanwhile, as stated by Science Friday, Dr. Jon Freeman discusses how our brains swiftly create character assessments. First impressions might also be influenced by subsequent interactions, as we form a more rounded picture of the person we've met, depending on the overall interaction and repeated contact, as supported by the proximity principle noted in relationship formation research.
It is also worth noting the humor in the joke about learning someone is vegan within 10 minutes—this illustrates the ways in which our perceptions are sometimes based on social cues and the information people choose to share and may form part of the impression we form during a brief interaction. Observations about basic conversational etiquette, like the appropriate way to greet someone, reflect how rules vary depending on social contexts and can affect the way we perceive others. Views on art also illuminate that initial impressions, while personal, can evolve with experience and exposure, which applies to people as well.