6 things to do when you first meet someone if you want them to remember you forever

Be blunt, slightly controversial, and completely honest

(Rex)

[This article was originally published in 2016]

We all strive to be memorable. But leaving a lasting impression on someone we've just met isn't always easy. It also isn't impossible.

As it turns out, with the right words and actions almost anyone can create a captivating presence.

To help you figure out how to do this, we asked a number of experts the question: "How do I become more memorable when meeting someone for the first time?"

Here were some of our favourite tips for making yourself memorable when you first meet someone new.

1. Put on your talking hat

It's easy to stand there and let other people carry on the conversation, but you will never stick out in people's minds if you just listen, writes Julian Reisinger, dating expert and founder of Lovelifesolved.com.

Don't let the fear of looking like a fool keep you from speaking up and asking questions, telling your own stories, and sharing your own opinions. Go for it, and make a lasting impression.

2. Be blunt, slightly controversial, and completely honest

Most people avoid saying anything controversial — especially when meeting someone for the first time — because they want to play it safe to ensure everyone likes them.

But if you really want to be memorable, you may want to make a statement without insulting anyone or saying something offensive, of course. "People remember extremes, not mediocrity," writes Reisinger.

He recommends speaking up and stating your opinion firmly and clearly, even if it makes some people slightly uncomfortable or mad. This will make you more interesting — and thus more memorable.

3. Be a little bit unusual

Breaking out of the cultural norm is an easy way to stick out, Reisinger writes, but try to stick out in a positive way.

For example, he suggests coming up with humorous and unusual answers to the typical introductory questions such as, "How are you?" or "What do you do?"

While coming up with scripted answers may seem like a pain, he points out that you will have to answer these questions thousands of times throughout your life anyway, so it's well worth the effort.

4. Use confident body language

Rob Riker, founder of The Social Winner blog, says confident body language does more than make you look good — it makes you more memorable.

To do this, Riker suggests having a firm handshake, standing up straight, and maintaining eye contact both while listening and speaking.

If you aren't talking with anyone for a few minutes, then he says you should look out in front of you, rather than at the ground. "You are engaging with the world, not hiding from it," he writes.

He also says you should "own the space around you." This means not sitting on the edge of a bench so other people have more room than you or acting embarrassed if your arm touches someone else's arm. 

5. Trigger emotions

This piece of advice from Reisinger stems from author and poet Maya Angelou's famous quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

In order to leave a deep impression on someone, you need to make them feel something ... preferably something good.

How do you do that in a casual conversation? Reisinger suggests showing vulnerability, making them laugh, making a mistake and apologizing for it, stroking someone's ego, telling stories, being helpful, or discussing a topic in a heated manner could all do the trick.

6. Be an engaged listener

We mentioned earlier than you should talk, and not just sit back and listen the whole time. But when you are listening, be attentive and engaged.

"The most popular and memorable people in the world are those who give us their undivided and full attention," says journalist Becky Blanton.

This is harder than it seems. Most people are constantly thinking of what to say next and looking for a break in the conversation for when they can jump in and say it.

Like Reisinger, Blanton says we remember how people make us feel and when you truly listen to someone, you will make them feel important — and they'll remember that.

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