How To Make Introductions	
When you are in the work world, you will be expected to know business et
iquette.  The word etiquette 
means rules of behavior based on:  a) tradition — what has been done in the past); b) efficiency — best 
way to do things, and c) logic   — what makes sense.  Another word for etiquette is manners.  
Business etiquette affects how supervisors in the work world see you.  Good job skills is not
 all there is to 
being a successful worker.  Also important are:  a) getting along with others; b) using good manne
rs, and 
c) tact — making others feel comfortable by saying and doing the rig
ht thing.  Supervisors prefer to 
promote workers who have both — good job skills and good business eti
quette to 
help make co-workers and customers feel comfortable.
In business situations, if you forget to make an introduction, it is called a faux pas (French word for a
 social 
blunder or mistake in manners.  Pronounced "foh paw.").  Why are introductions important?  Introductions 
make others feel comfortable and friendly — and makes the introducer 
important and business-like.  
For example, have you ever stood in a group of people you did not know w
hile a friend chats with other 
people in the group?  If it seems that everyone else knows each other, you may feel awkward and 
embarrassed.  Your friend may  think that you know the members of the group,  forgot to introduce you, or 
does not know how to introduce you to the group.  A person who has not been introduced may feel socially 
invisible.  In addition, members of the group will be unsure how to talk
 to the person if they do not know 
who he or she is.  Introductions make everyone feel comfortable and frie
ndly.  The person who makes the 
introductions takes control of the situation   — and exercises the power of politeness — to help things move 
along smoothly.  The main rule of introductions is to keep it simple and respectful.
HOW TO MAKE INTRODUCTIONS.   Follow these four easy steps:
1.	 Use	the	name	of	the	most	important	person	first.	  
  The most important person is usually the person with the higher level jo
b.  Use a person’s title such as 
Mr., Mrs., Ms (pronounced Miz), Miss, Doctor, Professor, Captain, or other title before the person’s 
last name.  Do not use first names unless you know that first names are acceptable in your company .  In 
some companies, people use first and last names 
such as Joe Smith instead of Mr. Smith or Joe.  
Listen to how people are introduced at your 
company so that you will what to do.  
  It is always safe to use person’s last name 
  (such as Mr. Smith).  Then, let the person being 
introduced invite others to use his or her first 
name.
 
  EXAMPLE:  "Doctor Jones, I’d like you to meet 
Mr. Smith."  (Then, Mr. Smith says, "You can 
call me Mike.")	
How To Make Introductions (page 1 of 2)

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  
QUICK CHECK:	
How To Make Introductions (page 2 of 2)	
 There is one exception to this rule.  A customer (or client) is an important person because customers 
bring money into the company.  Therefore, when introducing a customer, use his or her name to start 
the introduction.  EXAMPLE:  "Mrs. Johnson, I'd like you to meet my mana
ger, Mr. Brown."  
  (Mrs. Johnson is the customer.)  If you do not know who has the higher level job and neither person 
is 
a customer or client, use the name of the person you wish to compliment or show respect to first.  Or , 
to show respect for age, you may use the name of older 
person first.  EXAMPLE:  "Mr. Green, I’d like you to 
meet my friend, Tom Brown."  (Mr. Green is 50 years 
old, and Tom is 23 years old.)
2.  Establish eye contact with the person to whom you 
are talking.  Smile and look pleasant.
3.  Say each person’s name clearly.  
4.  If you have time, add information about the person 
being introduced.  EXAMPLE:  "Mrs. Johnson, I’d 
like you to meet Mr. Smith.  He is the manager of Steaks and Seafood Restaurant." Or, "Mr. Green, I’d 
like you to meet my friend, Tom Brown.  Tom is in my drafting class at Careerville High School."
When adding information about person introduced, be sure the information
 is:  a) right for the situation; 
b) positive about the person.  The introduction show something about you, too.  It shows that you have:
 
a) social skills; b) can make people feel comfortable and friendly; c)
 have human relation skills to keep the 
conversation flowing in a positive direction.  Making introductions is a skill that you need to practice 
starting today so that this skill will be a natural part of your persona
lity in a future career. 
1.  On what 3 things are rules of behavior based?
2.  What is another word for etiquette?
3.  a) Besides job skills, what 3 other things are 
important for successful employees?  
  b) Define "tact."
4.  Supervisors are more likely to promote 
  workers who have what 2 good things?  
5.  What does "faux pas" mean?
6.  For what 2 reasons are introductions important?
7.  Give 3 reasons why a friend may not introduce 
you to a group.
8.  a) What do you think it means to be "socially 
invisible"?  b) Introductions make everyone feel 
what 2 things?
9.  What is the main rule of introductions?
10.  Whose name should you introduce first? 11. 
a) Do not use first names unless what?  
  b) What is always safe?
12.  Why is a customer’s name used first?  
13.  a) When you do not know who has higher level 
job, and neither person is a customer, who 
should you introduce first?       
  b) How can you show respect for age?
14.  What are steps #2 and #3 for introductions?
15.  If you have time, what may you add?
16.  When adding information about the person, 
about what 2 things should you be sure?
17.  a) What 3 things does the introduction show 
about you?  b) When should you start practicing 
the skill of making introductions?  c) Why?
18.  Homework:  Watch others to see how 
  introductions are made.  Practice introducing 
people whenever you have the opportunity.