How To Make Introductions

Have you noticed that many young people do not make introductions anymore? I thought this was common curtsey, where have our manners gone? If you are out with someone in public and you run into an acquaintance, you should always introduce the person you are with to the other person. Unless they are already know each other that you know of. Every greeting and introduction is a chance to show your respect for others and to create a favorable impression of yourself. So the most important thing is to do it-make a conscious effort to say "hello" even when you feel a bit grumpy or shy, and make introductions even if you aren't quite sure of the finer points of who is introduced to whom.    

 Tips for Making a Great Introduction

• Look at the person you are speaking to first, then turn to the other person as you complete the introduction.
• Speak clearly. Mumbling defeats the purpose of the introduction.
• Use courteous language. “I’d like to introduce…,” “May I introduce…,” “I’d like you to meet…” are all good options. “May I present…” is the formal version.
• Use preferred names and titles. 
  • In more formal situations, or when there’s an obvious age difference, it’s best to use courtesy titles and last names: “Mrs. Samson, I’d like you to meet Mr. Jacobs.” This lets Mrs. Sampson invite Mr. Jacobs to use her first name, or not.
  • Even in informal situations or with contemporaries, it’s helpful to use first and last names: “Judy, this is Sam Jacobs. Sam, this is Judy Samson.” You can use a nickname if you know the person prefers it.

• Teach children to use adults’ titles, unless an adult specifically requests using his or her first name: “Mrs. Samson, this is my nephew, Benji Rose. Benji, this is Mrs. Samson.”
• It’s fine to skip last names when introducing your spouse and children, unless they have a different last name than yours.
• Introduce other family members by their full names, unless they request otherwise. It’s also a good idea to mention the family relationship: “Uncle Arthur, may I introduce Mark Weston. Mark, this is my great-uncle, Arthur Pearson.”
  
  
• When introducing someone to a small group, it’s practical to name the group members first, primarily to get their attention: “Sara, Kathy, Dan, I’d like to introduce Curtis Tyler. Curtis, I’d like you to meet Sara Rocher, Kathy Henley, and Dan Quinn.”

• Start a conversation.  Try to find some topic the two people have in common: “Sam, I think you and Jake share a passion for Italian wine. Jake might enjoy hearing about your wine tour in northern Italy.”

 

Here’s a handy chart of who might come first:

Speak to this person FIRST…	…and this person SECOND
Social Situations
Your grandparents, parents, or anyone older than you	Your contemporary (or younger)
Your friend	Another family member
An adult	A child
A woman	A man
Someone with a title: Senator, Mayor, Judge, Colonel, nobility, Bishop, Reverend, Professor, Doctor; anyone senior in rank to you (boss, CEO)	Your contemporary (or younger)
Your guest of honor	Others attending the event
Business Situations
A client	Anyone in your company, including your CEO
Your boss, or a higher-up	A person of lower rank in the company