First Impression: "Hello!"

 

Hi, my name is Mandla and I’m a Civil Engineer...Unless ufuna uJaivayoyo ozokuqola be my guest.

All that is about to follow is not written because I’m a spokesperson for the women species (well, maybe I am) but please take it like you would coming from your own sister. An ambitious and successful man is very appealing to women, believe you me, when we write in our diaries growing up those two words definitely feature on our ‘list’, yes, there is a list of all the qualities you look for in a potential partner that most girls write from a young age, it does change as we grow, go through certain experiences, are exposed to even more things and the more men we meet as we go along, note, I said meet not 'have fun with'.

Like anything in life there has to be a start/beginning, in this case for any relationship to blossom there has to be that initial communication usually initiated by men (not so much these days though) .  First impressions last - this does not only apply to career related encounters but everything that pertains to you as an individual, relationships being one of those things which makes that first "Hello" as Beyonce  would serenade you determines if you have me or not.   "Hi, my name is Mandla and I’m a Civil Engineer..." has been my worst yet, honestly the last thing on my mind when I see your face for the first time is what you do, how much is in your bank account and how much more is still coming your way possibly my way too if I'm a good little girl! Asking for my banking details, giving me your black card for a shopping spree in Gateway or my best yet, a shopping spree abroad *rolls eyes*, offering me a job or to go on a 'business venture' together (BEE tendencies) WILL NOT WORK.

I hope this puts my other brothers at ease, Mr. Money Spender doesn't always get  the ten digits :) so go on ahead and ask that lady you have been shy to greet at the coffee shop every morning, library, gym, church, work etc. for the past century already!  If you make us laugh  when you say hello - 10 brownie points for you! All we really need is someone who genuinely cares, respectful, honest, kind and humble, intelligent, ambitious, driven and hard working, someone who has our back, we need to feel safe and protected (maybe that's just me but hey...). Oh! The way you carry and conduct yourself even before you utter anything can also make or break that 'hello'; yes, we are observant like that. Lets not get to the hygiene and the dressing part or your 'game' (as my dear friend Londiwe Maphisa would say) after the 'hello' that's for another day.

My point is, everybody has a chance, yes, EVEN YOU! *Eugene Khoza* Ha ha! Please note: This is my viewpoint and we are all different as individuals, different strokes for different folks and I speak for women not girls, ladies not platinum diggers.

Go on, say hello! ;)