Psychologists often claim that we form a first impression of a new person in about seven seconds. The same is true, more or less, of new places: within minutes of stepping off a train, most of us have already decided whether a city feels welcoming or stand-offish, vibrant or sleepy, gritty or charming.
The problem, of course, is that these snap judgements are based on almost nothing — the weather on the day we arrive, a rude taxi driver, the strange smell of the metro. A bustling Tuesday afternoon in Lisbon feels nothing like a wet Monday morning in the same neighbourhood. And the laid-back local who chatted to us at breakfast may not be at all representative of the people we meet later.
So what can travellers do? Experienced travellers suggest two simple habits. First, give a new place at least 48 hours before you decide what you think of it. Second, ask questions — lots of them. The fastest way to move past a stereotype is to be genuinely curious about the person in front of you, and to show that curiosity in your voice.
