“Image Created with Canva by Sulti.”

Most people think you need months, maybe years, to figure someone out — long talks, shared struggles, maybe a few drinks and a teary midnight confession.

That’s the myth.

The truth? Ten seconds.
That’s all it takes — if you know what to watch for.

We’re not talking about shallow stuff like the clothes they wear or whether they made eye contact during a handshake.
This is deeper. These are real, tested patterns — the kind that show up before someone starts controlling their image.

1. Their First Reaction Is the Real One
People rehearse smiles, tone, even body language — but only after their guard is up.

What happens before that? That’s the good stuff.

Try dropping a surprising comment:
“I actually failed at that the first time.”
“I’m nervous, but I’m going for it anyway.”

Do they flinch? Smirk? Look uncomfortable?
Or do they soften, lean in, and mirror your emotion?

Their instinctive reaction exposes their wiring — whether they’re judgmental, empathetic, competitive, or secretly insecure.

Bonus Layer: Micro-expressions — those fleeting facial changes — reveal what people don’t want you to see.
Learn to catch them…