Notes
• rely – 頼る
• impression – 印象
• delay – 遅らせる
• participants – 参加者
• influenced – 影響を受ける

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People often rely too much on first impressions, which can be hard to change even if they are wrong. A study from Duke University found that delaying decisions can help us avoid this problem.

In the study, participants took part in a box auction experiment. Each box had 20 items, some valuable and others not, but all boxes had the same total value. The difference was only in the order of items. In some boxes, valuable items were on top, while in others they were mixed.

Some participants chose their favorite box immediately, while others decided after sleeping on it. Those who made quick decisions often judged based on the first items they saw. However, those who waited were less influenced by these first impressions.

This shows that taking time before making decisions can help us see the bigger picture and make better choices.
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Notes
used items 中古品;
loyalty 公約・義務などへの）誠実，忠実;

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Amazon was started by Jeff Bezos 30 years ago. It began as a small online bookstore but has now become a giant company that sells almost everything. Amazon is important in many people’s lives, offering a wide range of products and fast delivery.

In Japan, Amazon is very popular, competing with big local companies like Rakuten. Rakuten is famous for its loyalty program and many services. Other important Japanese online stores are Yahoo! Shopping Japan, which offers a marketplace for different sellers, and Zozo, which specializes in fashion. Mercari is another favorite, known for buying and selling used items.

Big online stores like Amazon and Rakuten will keep growing by using new technology, entering new countries, and offering more services. However, they will also face problems like stricter rules, new competitors, and the need to be more eco-friendly. How well they handle these issues will decide their future success.
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