Call this Miss Manners part deux.
For many of us, attending functions, meeting new people is an every day event. It doesn’t necessarily take a Presidential election year to get us out and about, we’re already out – so to speak.
From fundraisers, meet and greets, candidate forums, lobby days at the capitol there are always opportunities to meet lots and lots of new folks. Political events seem to attract more folks who come to events alone than just about any other social situations that I know of. Therefore it is very important to make sure you make the effort to not stand in your clique all night!
While some of us may not always be comfortable with this process, polite society, does require certain behavior. I
suppose we could argue that politics may not be polite society…however,
here’s what to do when making introductions.
Meet and greet, it’s your job to mix and mingle… even if the host or host committee neglects to introduce you to other guests, introduce yourself, but make your relationship to the host clear in your introduction.
TIP: First, deep breathe. Collect your thoughts… Are you meeting this person for the first time? Are you sure? No one, I mean no one likes to think some one forgot meeting him or her. If you’re not sure, say, the following… “How nice to see you… “
If you’re sure you’ve not met them before proceed with; “Hello, isn’t this a nice event, my name is Juliana, I’m a friend of Senator Orrock’s. Now stop, take a breathe and let them introduce themselves. If they also know the Senator, you have a easy entry into a conversation, if they don’t you might offer them some information about her.
Introduce individuals to each other using both first and last names, where possible.
If you’re introducing someone who has a title’ a doctor, Senator, Representative, Congressman, for example’ include the title as well as the first and last names in the introduction.
Introduce the younger or less prominent person to the older or more prominent person, regardless of the sex of the individuals. (However, if a considerable age difference lies between the two, it is far more courteous to make introductions in deference to age, regardless of social rank.) For example: ‘Bill Anders, I’d like you to meet Dr. Gertrude Smith.’
If the person you are introducing has a specific relationship to you, make the relationship clear by adding a phrase such as ‘my boss,’ ‘my wife’ or ‘my uncle.’ In the case of unmarried couples that are living together, ‘companion’ and ‘partner’ are good choices.
Use your partners first and last name if he or she has a different last name than you. Include the phrase ‘my wife’ or ‘my husband.’
Introduce an individual to the group first, then the group to the individual. For example: ‘Dr. Brown, I’d like you to meet my friends Kim Hsu, Shawn Campbell and Michael Via. Everyone, this is Bill Brown.’
Tips:
If you’ve forgotten a name, you’ll seem impolite if you try to ignore the need for the introduction. It’s less awkward (and better manners) to apologize and acknowledge that the name has escaped you.
If an organization you are currently affiliated with has given you a name tag, wear it! That was the point of them providing it, the name tag helps everyone remember you and your organization.
Warnings:
Formal etiquette censures repeating names and adding phrases such as ‘charmed’ and ‘a pleasure,’ as it may appear insincere or detract from the introduction. Instead, offer a friendly ‘Hello,’ or ‘Dr. Smith has told me so much about you.’ Or, “I hear you’re a wonderful swimmer, accountant, sculptor, etc.”
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