How To Introduce Yourself And Others
Introducing others often results in a brief and awkward semi-send-off while you palm a bore off onto a distant relative, but how does a gentleman introduce others as well as himself?
Introducing oneself to another is a straightforward process we have spoken about in some good detail already, but introducing two people to each other with grace and skill is a step up the social ladder.
Unfortunately, the art of introductions is a bit lost and often results in brief and awkward semi-send-offs while you palm a bore off onto a distant relative. You have pictured the scene quite well, and I am sure you have featured in it or been party to it.
We will now take a look at the proper procedure and etiquette for introducing people to each other and some general guidance for any introduction.
Procedure of introductions
First of all, make sure the two people you want to introduce to each other both have your attention and will have the attention of each other. It is not the best idea to drag someone across the room and force them into a lively group chat.
Introductions, like handshakes, work on the basis of precedence (one's social rank or status). Thus, the person with seniority is the person to whom others are introduced.
The basic order of seniority in social settings runs like this,
The most important
The eldest
Women
Never do what's called a 'Mirror Introduction' where you just repeat names.
Don't say: Sally, this is Harry. Harry, meet Sally.
Instead, use the following structure:
Senior person + may I introduce + less senior person.
Let's look at our three ranks of seniority in some clear examples.
Most Important:
Prime Minister, may I introduce Mr Smith.
Eldest:
Grandfather, may I introduce Grandson.
Women:
Sally, may I introduce Harry.
What next?
You could just introduce two people who would immediately get on like a house on fire, but how likely is that? Many people are either a bit stiff with strangers or too fake.
You can say you have done your bit, but what really takes skill and would plant you firmly in people's minds as a social guru is to ignite their conversation for them. One of the best ways to do this is to tell a brief fact about each other that you think would unite them and is a sure way of introducing people with style and class.
For example,
“Sally, may I introduce Harry. Harry’s just come back from working in Dubai. You’re going there next month, aren’t you?”
And you can leave them chatting once they take it from there themselves.
Final Note
Nothing I have said there is complicated or old-fashioned, but good common sense combined with some help from tradition. It does not need to go perfectly, or you might mix ranks, but as long as you do it with smoothness and a degree of confidence, then that will make a lasting impression.
A person who seems well-connected is a person who can connect people to other people, and if you do it a few times the next social gathering you attend, you will have cracked it for life.
