Professional Etiquette Meeting and Greeting People

Six Tips to Effectively “Meet and Greet” 1.Stand up 2.Step or lean forward 3.Make eye contact 4.Have a pleasant face 5.Shake hands 6.Greet the other person - repeat their name

How to Shake Hands Step 1: Extend your right hand to meet the other person's right hand. Step 2: Point your thumb upward toward the other person's arm and extend your arm at a slight downward angle. Step 3: Wrap your hand around the other person's hand when your thumb joints come together. Step 4: Grasp the hand firmly and squeeze gently once. Remember that limp handshakes are a big turnoff, as are bone-crushing grasps. Step 5: Hold the handshake for 2 to 3 seconds. Step 6: Pump your hand up and down a few times to convey sincerity. (This gesture is optional.)

Handshake Video Clips Cultural Appropriateness If you're traveling in a foreign country, you'll have to do your homework on whether or not a handshake is an appropriate form of greeting, particularly with the opposite gender. In some countries, shaking hands is seen as far too intimate a contact to initiate with a stranger.

Introducing Yourself If you were not introduced by someone else, begin to announce in a loud audible voice a greeting and your name. Also add any personal information you think may help them remember who you are. “Hello, nice to meet you. I am Eric Jones. I work with Michelle on the Smith account”

Introductions Introduce individuals to each other using both first and last names. If you're introducing someone who has a title, include the title as well as the first and last names in the introduction. 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 who are living together, 'companion' and 'partner' are good choices. Use your spouse's 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 Kym Hsu, Shawn Campbell and Michael Via. Everyone, this is Dr. Kurt Brown.‘

A Man to a Woman In the social world, a man is always introduced to a woman, "Mrs. Brown, may I present Mr. Black," or, "Mrs. Brown, I should like to present Mr. Black:" The word "present" makes this introduction the most formal of all introductions. The same introduction may also be made in the following ways, "Mrs. Brown, I should like to introduce Mr. Black," or, "Mrs. Brown, Mr. Black," as it is not necessary to use a sentence in an introduction. Many persons prefer the correct but less formal introduction, "Mr. Black, have you met Mrs. Brown?" or, "Mr. Black, may I introduce you to Mrs. Brown." This last, however, is not spoken with the rising inflection as it is not a question directed to Mr. Black. In all instances cited, the deference is being shown Mrs. Brown.

Younger Person to Older Introduce a younger person to an older person of the same sex; "Miss Older, may I present Miss Younger?" "Miss Older, may I present Mrs. Younger?“ "Miss Younger, have you met Miss Older?" An exception to this rule is made if the younger person is the more distinguished of the two. Others are introduced to a distinguished person; as, "Miss Distinguished, may I present Mrs. Brown?" Never say, "May I present," or, "May I introduce," when introducing two men; say, "Mr. Older, Mr. Younger," "Mr. Younger, do you know Mr. Older?" or, "Mr. Younger, have you met Mr. Older?"

Less Prominent to More Prominent Introduce the less prominent person to the 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: Arthur Prefect, I'd like you to meet Dr. Gertrude Smith. A great rule of thumb: Always say the name of the most important person first.

Forgotten names The most important thing to remember is that you should never ignore the introduction and try to muscle through with everyone acutely aware that you’ve failed to introduce them. This is just as rude as forgetting someone’s name. In fact, it’s more so. When you forget someone’s name, it’s because of poor memory (or possibly because they’re unmemorable); but when you fail to introduce people, you’re actively deciding against doing the right thing. The most straightforward thing to do is just outright admit that you’ve forgotten the person’s name. It happens to everyone. Lots of times they’ll have forgotten yours too and will be grateful to you for admitting first, essentially letting them off the hook. Even if this isn’t the case, the offence of a forgotten name is rarely felt very strongly, and the sooner you admit it and rectify it the better. You can make a special effort to remember the name this time, and be sure to use it when speaking to the person in the future to reassure them that you now remember it.

Cultural Gestures COLUMBIA Women hold forearms instead of shaking hands. SAUDI ARABIA Holding hands or taking someone's elbow is a sign of respect and friendship. To place the palm down, fingers spread, with your index finger bent down and pointing outward is to insult someone. Shaking the head from side to side means yes; by tipping the head backward and clicking the tongue, people signal no. Elders tend to greet by saying, Salaam; men greet with a hug and a cheek kiss. Veiled women are not introduced. EGYPT Handshakes are followed by a touch on the elbow. CHINA Greeting is usually just a slight nod and bow. Sometimes people will applaud; this should be responded with applause. PHILIPPINES Greet with a quick flash of the eyebrows.