First impressions count so much because, obviously, it's the first thing you notice when you see them, or are beknownst to their presence. And yeah, i didn't need to right that cuz you'll already know that, but keep reading...
They say, "A picture speaks a thousand words". If you think of a person as the "picture", it's the tiny things like their appearance, first conversation with them (if possible) and basically the overall way in which they present themselves that "speaks a thousand words". It shows someone what the person is really like by just looking at them/meeting them, e.g, at a job interview, where first impressions are crucial: Dressing appropriately, on time, personality etc are all taken into account within that short length of time. If all is good, then the employer may think, "OK, well their seem to be no problems and this person is perfect" then they'll automatically think that they are like this 24/7....
....Which is not always the case. Yeah, they COULD aways be punctual etc in real life, but hey, they want the job, don't they? Of course their gonna do their best to impress them, because it gives people a taste of what they are really like.
But all that I just babbled about was just first impressions. Back to that saying, "A picture speaks a thousand words", sometimes people have to look beyond the first glance. Are there flaws in the picture? Is it really what it seems or does that picture hiding something/representing something else? This is what people don't often consider, thus the problem with first impressions. Sometimes it's a matter of time or laziness, and probably other reasons too, that one doesn't look beneath the surface, at what the personis really like. And it isn't always a bad thing, like I was saying about the flaws thing before. Like me, for example: When people first meet me they think I'm shy, and may even misinterpret shyness for snobiness. Which I am most definitely NOT. I can't stand snobby insensitive people. But anyway, they think I'm shy, but once I get to know somebody the shyness sort of goes away, and I open up more. And I'm actually quite bubbly...
So there you have it. First impressions count so much cuz it's the first feeling that they get of you that represents what you're really like on the inside, even though there's normally more to than what meets the eye.
Phew! I know this is long, but bear with me.
That's a difficult question. I guess, yeah, if I could I would change my thoughts on them after the first impression, because as I just said there's more to than what meets the eye. But sometimes the first impression is what people really are like all the time. So I guess it depends on what else I think of the person after the first time I see them, what else they're like, to whether or not I'd change my opinion of them.
So if I would, yeah maybe, why do they say they are lasting? I think that's what I just explained above, the first part that I rambled about *__* First impressions are lasting because it's the first thing you notice about them, your first thought of them, your first notion, which tends to stick in the mind for a long time for reasons I can't explain. While first impressions ARE lasting, your overall impression of them changes after you get to know them/see them on a regualr basis, unless that's what they are like 24/7, which is uncommon. I think :P
Althought the first impression is always remembered, your thoughts of them usually change; for better or for worse? Well, that depends on the people. And yeah, the fact that life is a stage complicates it more. You know how they say that life is an interesting journey, full of twists and turns (just see the beginning of the music video of "TI ft. Rihanna - Live Your Life" and he talks about life and how you never know where it'll take you), well you get to see how different people react differently in situations, and while people grow up and change they way they dress, behave, act etc changes your impression of them all over again. But that's life.
Wow. Don't think I've written this much before in an answer. Oh well, hope all this helps :)
xxxx