Contents
Etiquette vs. Manners
Table Manners
How to Set a Table
Guidelines for Proper Tipping
Making Introductions
Invitations and Thank-You Notes
Gift Giving and Receiving
Dating Etiquette
Business Etiquette
Dressing Formally
Wedding Etiquette
Funerals and Memorial Services
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Making Introductions
In both the business and social worlds, it’s essential to know the proper way to introduce yourself to other people and to introduce other people to each other. A simple, confident introduction can go a long way toward making a great first impression.
Introducing Yourself
Whether you’re meeting a new boss or the parents of your significant other, there are six key ingredients to any introduction:
- Don’t be bashful: Never wait to make an introduction, even if you’re nervous. If you wait to introduce yourself, you may never get the chance.
- Don’t be pushy or arrogant: While you shouldn’t be bashful, it’s also a mistake to be overconfident or aggressive. Rather than seeming tough or strong, you will seem crass or insecure. Instead, keep it simple and straightforward. A “hello” followed by your name will seem both confident and nonthreatening.
- Provide context: Give a brief explanation of how you know the host (at a party) or what your role is (at a business function).
- Smile: A smile shows that you’re friendly and happy to meet the other person.
- Make eye contact: A few seconds of eye contact indicate self-confidence and trustworthiness. Maintaining eye contact for more than a few seconds can come off as overly aggressive.
- Handshake: A good, firm handshake connotes confidence, poise, and competence.
How to Shake Hands
Your handshake is one of the first and most lasting impressions that you can make on a new acquaintance.
- Extend your hand
with your thumb pointed upward and your four other fingers straight ahead.
- Grasp hands so that the web between your thumb and forefinger touches the same point on the other person. Do not offer—or take—just the fingers.
- Hold firmly, but without a crushing grip. (To gauge how hard you should grip, practice on your other hand. If it hurts, you’re gripping too hard.)
- Pump two or three times while maintaining eye contact.
- The handshake should last about two to three seconds.
Introducing Others
If you’re hosting an event, it’s your duty to greet all your guests and make them feel comfortable. If your event is small, make sure everyone meets one another. If it’s large, make sure guests meet at least a few other people when they arrive. Never wait to introduce someone you’re with to everyone else. If you wait, you’ll make them feel invisible and left out.
- Business introductions: In the professional world, hierarchy rules. Introduce the person in the less powerful position to the person with more power: “President Jones, I’d like you to meet John, our new intern.” A client or prospective client should always be treated as the more powerful person.
- Social introductions: In a social setting, try to provide a snippet of information about each person you’re introducing to encourage conversation. (“Margaret, this is Leonora. She loves figure skating too!”)
What to Do If You Forget a Name
Everyone forgets other people’s names once in a while. If you forget a name while greeting or introducing someone, don’t try to hide it. Follow these steps instead:
- Mention where you remember them from. This shows that you do in fact remember the person.
- Apologize and admit that you can’t recall their name.
- Move on and don’t make a big deal out of it.
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