IntroductionsEvery day we encounter people in a variety of business and social situations.

Introductions

Every day we encounter people in a variety of business and social situations. The way we meet and greet them creates lasting impressions and paves the way for a productive encounter, Introductions project information. Besides the obvious elements of name. title, and affiliation (关系), an introduction conveys a level of respect and reflects how the person making the introduction views the other person's status. Mastering the art of the introduction will help put you and the people you are introducing at ease. Learning the basics--and they are not very difficult --is the first step.

The most important point about introductions is to make them. Failing to do so causes embarrassment and discomfort. A second important point in any introduction is the order of names. The name of the person being introduced is mentioned last. and the person to whom the introduction is made is mentioned first. The rules for who is introduced to whom depends on whether it's a business or a social introduction.

Business Introductions

In business, introductions are based on power and hierarchy (等级). Simply, persons of lesser authority are introduced to persons of greater authority. Gender plays no role in business etiquette (礼节): nor does it affect the order of introductions. For example, you would say, "Mr. / Ms, Greater Authority. I would like to introduce Mr./Ms. Lesser Authority."

Social Introductions

Social etiquette is based on chivalry(骑士精神), so both formal and informal introductions are made according to age, then gender, and then social status. The man would be introduced to the woman in a social situation unless the man is obviously a great deal older, in which case one would defer(听从，服从) to age over gender.

As you make the introduction, include a brief but meaningful piece of information about each of the people to explain their uniqueness or importance. But never qualify a description by saying "my best client" or "my dearest friend" because the automatic implication is that the other person holds a lower position in your personal hierarchy. When in doubt, be less personal rather than more personal.

The Nuances (细微差别)

As you say each of the individuals' names, look at him or her. In this way, you focus attention on them and make them feel important. Once a conversation has begun and everyone seems at ease, you may excuse yourself.

When introducing peers to one another, mention both the first and last names. It doesn't matter who is introduced to whom. Including a little bit of information that might start the conversational ball rolling is always a good idea. Even if everyone in a group is on a first name basis, introduce people by both first and last names.

Introducing Yourself

If no one introduces you, step in and introduce yourself. Someone may be too embarrassed to admit forgetting a name or may be distracted by other matters. Feeling slighted because you were not introduced only puts you at a disadvantage. Introduce yourself by extending your hand, smiling and saying something like, "I'm Matt Jones, David's partner." Avoid making any comment such as "Helen works for me" that might be considered as arrogance or superiority. Instead, say, "Helen and I work in the same office."

As a guest, it's your duty to circulate and introduce yourself at any function, large or small, especially if the host or hostess is busy. The fact that you are both there is sufficient justification to introduce yourself to anyone at the gathering. By only sticking to those people you already know, you'll never expand your horizons or make new acquaintances.

Always use both names when introducing yourself to convey the message that you take yourself seriously as an adult and expect the same treatment from others. And, since you don't know how comf

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