" The problem is that while we think our first impressions of people are grounded solely in logic, they’re not. In reality, they’re a jumbled mix of conscious and unconscious truth, fiction, and prejudice. Thus, from the very start, we’re dealing with a fictitious creation—not a real person. Yet that first impression will color our feelings about another person for months or years to come. It’ll also affect how we listen to that person, because we’ll distort everything the person says to fit our preconceived notions. "

― Mark Goulston , Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone