Chuck,
I was just being my normal, flippant, self

But seriously, if you're looking at a first lens, it would be a good idea to make a plan for your lens kit or kits for the future.
Me, I like 90mm, 135mm, 203mm and 300mm. The lenses I chose are lightweight (no 210 Plasmat for me; too heavy and bulky - I like my 203mm f/7.7 Ektar) and evenly-spaced at approx 1.5x intervals.
I like lightweight and a small maximum aperture doesn't bother me. I work in the field and often carry my kit relatively long distances. All that helped determine my lens choices. Studio photographers or architectural photographers with lots of assistants to carry gear for them like huge lenses with lots of coverage and a large choice of focal lengths. Some minimalist types work with just one lens; others like the look of vintage lenses like Petzvals, etc., etc.
There are many possibilities for spacing focal lengths too: some like 90mm, 150mm, 240mm for a three-lens kit; many like a very wide 65mm or 75mm (or even wider) lens for their widest and then a 150mm and a 300mm. That gets the extremes and relies on cropping and careful framing to get whatever lies between. Some like to carry 75mm, 90mm, 135mm, 150mm, 180mm, 210mm, 240mm, 300mm and a 360mm or even 450mm lens to be able to have a lens for every eventuality.
My point is, your first lens should be a fit for your ideal future lens kit in both focal length, size, coverage and optical characteristics.
So, while you're contemplating your first lens, contemplate a few steps further at the same time.
Best,
Doremus