Under the Ridge

In "Under the Ridge" by Ernest Hemingway, an American reporter is covering the Spanish Civil War. While working, he becomes involved in a conversation with a couple of Spanish soldiers. During their talk he discovers that one of these Spaniards does not like any foreigners. At the end of the story, it is found that he does not like those from outside his country because he watched two Russians shoot and kill a fellow soldier because he had shot himself in the hand in order to get out of the war.

After reading this story, I began to reflect on how important first impressions are in everyday life. When most people meet someone for the first time, they try to impress who they are presenting them self too. This way they will come off as a confident individual. What they don't realize, however, is that they are not only giving a first impression of them self but also of whom they represent. This can range from their country, family, or ethnicity. When someone does not put their best foot forward in a first impression, it can look badly on those who he is associated with. This can lead to negative stereotypes toward groups of people.

This is why I believe the Spanish soldier did not like any foreigners. He saw what the two Russians did and began to associate all foreigners as bad people. This happens often today as well. For example, if someone forms a negative feeling toward someone they just met who is in a certain fraternity or sorority, it can lead to he or she having a poor attitude toward that whole Greek organization. Needless to say, first impressions are very important not only for yourself but for all those you represent.