As we learn about different people, we develop mental taxonomies — generalizations at their most benign, prejudices at their worst.

It’s not rational, but we file away experiences and effortlessly draw upon them when we encounter someone new.

Consciously or not, we’re reading clues.

How are they dressed? How do they style their hair? Where do they live? What kind of car do they drive? How do they speak? What do they do for work? Who are their friends?

Two things to keep in mind. One, the clues may be completely misleading. Two — based on what we seek to know — we may be reading all the wrong clues.