The game is all about leverage
Make this very clear in your mind that the game of poker is all about leveraging the table. It is actually a combination of what your opponents perceive about you and what position are you holding at the table. At the starting of the game, everyone stands on zero leverage. All the participants just focus on the table. And if all the participants are strangers to each other, no one is aware of whether his or her opponent plays bluff, or tight, or loose, or anything else. Therefore, try to gain the leverage in the starting games by folding pre-flops. Your opponents will perceive you as a classy player playing lesser number of hands. On the other hand, if you are in practice of calling very frequently to see the flop, you may lose the leverage. Your opponents will perceive you as a player with somewhat wide range. Leverage is also gained by entering the pot first. You may gain the leverage by entering the pot with the very first raise. If by chance you have re-raised the bet and you have got an average hand, think of folding your hand so that you do not lose much.