Final Revision for Level 4 - 2011

How To Make a Proper Introduction

Hello, I'm Syndi Seid, an etiquette coach.
Something people often ask me is how do you properly give an introduction in a business setting.
So here is my two - step golden rule to proper introductions.
First, always remember the first person's name out of your mouth should be the most important person's name.
Thereafter, everyone else is introduced to that most important person.
But actually, rank and status are the primary determinants to who takes precedence over whom.
When introducing someone, never use the word "meet".
For example, Jane Doe is the CEO of a company and John Smith is a new staff person.
You would never want to say, "Jane Doe, I would like you to meet John Smith."
...because it actually throws the emphasis off the most important person on to that second person, John Smith.
Rather, if you want an informal introduction, how about using the word, "This is."
Example, "Jane Doe, this is John Smith."
When using the more traditional word "introduce," be careful not to get too wordy.
For instance, which of these three sentences is correct?
Is it

a) Jane Doe, may I introduce John Smith.
b) Ms. Doe, may I introduce to you Mr. Smith.
or c) Jane Doe, may I introduce you to John Smith.
If you chose a or b, you would be correct.
However, a is the best answer because it uses the fewest words.
So here are a few other tips to keep in mind when introducing someone.
Always keep the honorifics even.
If you use Ms. Doe, you must use Mr. Smith.
However, you can use first names such as Jane or John,...
...but in this case you must include their last name as well.
And lastly, do share some information about each person you're introducing...
...so that they can springboard their conversation and you can exit to meet some other people.
So there you have it, some quick tips on proper introductions.
Happy practicing.
Featured Words

Search for Common Ground

Search for Common GroundFounded in 198Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground works to transform the way the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. We work with local partners to understand the differences and act on the commonalities.

This report tells us what this non-governmental organization does, and how they work to reduce violence in the world.

New York's Pennsylvania Station

100 years have passed since New York's Pennsylvania Station opened its doors. The building stood in the middle of Manhattan for more than 50 years. Today, only the underground area remains. Pay a virtual visit to the station as you watch this video in English (with subtitles in English!)

And now, we leave you an Amtrak TV commercial. Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger system from the United States whcih serves Penn Station along with other bus companies.

American Breakfast - Yummy!!!!!!!!

It is very common in the USA to find out who won the elections while having breakfast the following day. Find out how Americans reacted to the election results and what they chose for breakfast!

...but what have you got?

Sausage pattie, fried egg, ham, bacon, baked beans.

Instead of the beans I got grits and ...

What are grits?

Grits? That’s a very good question. It’s oatmeal, couscous, you know a type of grain

It’s a type of grain

That doesn’t look grainy it looks mushy.

Yeah well they cook it for like I don’t know, 20 minutes. Yeah it’s kind of like porridge.

This is Eggs Benedict. It is egg, ham on English muffins with Hollandaise sauce. This is fruit and baked beans.

But you are a US citizen, so you voted or?

I voted absentee for Illinois.

And how did you vote in the election?

Democrat. Democrat for Obama.

Maybe you could just tell me what your breakfast is there.

Belgian waffles and coffee.

And this is a typical breakfast for you?

If I’m eating out…yes. I’ll have cereal at home, but I like waffles.

How about the election? Are you excited?

I’m nervous, nervous yes. Pro Obama, so it’s looking good for him right now. He’s intelligent, he’s thoughtful.

Can you see the result from there?

I think it’s 102 -34.

Who would you vote for?

I think he’s Obama. He looks quite decent and gentleman.

What did you have for your breakfast?

I started off with a fluffy pancake and some maple syrup. Then I had some crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Is that what you usually have when you come in here?

I usually have it on election days …yes. I’d definitely vote for Obama – OBAMA! America is very important and it’s crucial that we have a decent guy in there. It’s very emotional that he’s black and that’s powerful. I don’t think a lot of people who are in their forties and fifties thought there was ever going to be a black man in the White House. So that’s fantastic. So all those things are good, they will make a difference, they will matter. I’m going to cry when he wins, I am because for me it’s deeply moving.

Obama.

Can you tell me, is it because he’s sexy?

He’s sexier than John McCain…definitely. But erm no because I like his politics. He’s gonna develop green technology, he’s a bigger supporter of education. All those things. Bagels and lox, with tomato, onion, capers, sour cream.

Wow that looks great actually. I’m waiting for lemon.

She got a sandwich that’s already assembled. Mine is just not assembled which I prefer. Thin layer of cream cheese, tomato, couple of capers, onion, salmon, salt and pepper.

So it is in fact almost exactly the same?

Yes, but he got eggs too. And one key difference is she has two, the whole bagel whereas I only have half.

Did you vote?

Of course, of course.

Everybody here voted or everyone we talked to, everyone professes to be pro Obama.

But no this is a pro Obama outlet….hence the blue. No…

Oh yes woo, yes

He’s just got to keep up his end of the bargain.

What’s that?

Change baby change!

Who’d like a bloody Mary on the house?

How to understand the differences between British and American English

Man: Hey! Nice pants!
Woman: Excuse me?
Man: I said nice pants.
Woman: You can’t see my pants, can you?
Man: Of course I can.
Woman: How can you see my pants?
Man: They’re on your legs!
Woman: Ha. You haven’t been to America recently, have you?
Man: Oh I er …I er actually just got back from LA! That’s “Los Angeles” by the way....
Woman: I know.
Man: Yeah, I picked up some of the American words, and now I forget which ones to use! So confusing!
Woman: We call these “trousers” in Britain.
Man: Of course we do...you know there are so many things …that’s it’s exactly a completely different language sometimes!
Woman: Really?
Man: Yeah!
Woman: Would you like a crisp?
Man: Crisps? In the States, they’re “chips”!
Woman: Oh. So if I want to order our chips in America, what do I ask for?
Man: French fries!
Woman: I see.
Man: And you know what that is, don’t you?
Woman: A fizzy drink.
Man: That’s a “soda”!
Woman: Hmm…
Man: You know the lift over there?
Woman: Yeah?
Man: That’s an elevator.
Woman: Oh really?
Man: You know in the States, you don’t go to watch a film...
Woman: You “watch a movie”!
Man: Exactly! And you don’t walk on the pavement…
Woman: You walk on the “sidewalk”!
Man: You got it!
Woman: I’ve watched a lot of films...oops...movies!

How to order a round in a pub

Get it right when ordering drinks in pubs!

Woman: Excuse me! …Excuse me!...No...

Man: Always busy here on a Friday night!

Woman: (to barman) Sorry! Could I just have a...

Man: Patience and persistence!

Woman: Ahh, finally. Yes, erm ok, I’d like a beer, please! Sorry? what kind? (Man rolls eyes) A beer? Erm, lager, please. Yeah, that will do. Sorry, what? Half pint or a pint? (To man) How big is a pint?

Man: (gestures with hands, size of a pint)

Woman: Yes. OK. A pint.

Man: Ok, great, I’d like a...

Woman: Oh, sorry. Two pints of lager, please.

Man: OK great, I’ll have...

Woman: Oh…and a packet of crisps. (To man) Sorry. (To barman) What flavour? Erm, let me just check. (Turns round and shouts) What flavour? (Turns back) Cheese and onion.

Man: OK give me...

Woman: And a glass of wine. Red, please. Yes, I’m sure that’s it. Thank you. How much is that? (starts to look for wallet) Let me just check my wallet. I’ve got five, and that’s another six.

Man: (with note already in hand) OK great, I’d like a pint of bitter and two halves of lager please. Cheers. Keep the change. (To woman) That’s how it is done!