Introducing Others Rule # 27
Rule:Parents should look for opportunities to teach making introductions to their children. Reason:After the children have grown up, they will most likely thank the parents for teaching such a valuable skill. Application:Watch for opportunities such as school functions (open house), church meetings, when old friends or new friends who have not met your child come to visit. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 26
Rule:When your child makes a mistake in making an introduction, NEVER correct him or her in public. Reason:It’s cruel to embarrass a child, even our own under the guise of trying to teach a lesson. Application:After the infraction, find a private time later to discuss making introductions again. Before identifying the error, ask your child if he or she recognized the mistake at the time or later. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 25
Rule:It is important to teach your children to make introductions, understanding that “importance” has nothing to do with one’s character. It is simply a way to show respect. Reason:Children need to know how to show honor, deference, and respect for others. Application:Explain that when your son achieves his Eagle Scout Award, he will appreciate being shown respect by those who have not yet attained theirs. To a daughter, explain that when she is on the honor roll, she appreciates the recognition she gets. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 24
Rule:You should correct the pronunciation of your name when necessary Reason:It is embarrassing to us and to the other person when he or she says our name incorrectly. It’s kinder to correct in this instance. The offender will usually thank us for the correction. Application:Your name is Alissa. When your new friend says, “Melissa” you can simply say, “It’s Alissa.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 23
Rule:When you can’t remember someone’s name, you may try the following method. Reason:Almost anything is worth trying if it helps us remember a name. Application:Try to identify something about the person with the name. For instance, if your friend’s name is Mr. Ringgold, you might identify it with earring. (The danger here is calling the friend Mr. Earring.) Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 22
Rule:When someone approaches you and you can’t remember his or her name, you can try to get the name by simply reintroducing yourself. Reason:Even though we all forget names, it is embarrassing when we do. Application:Say, “Hi, there. James Collier.” Then put your hand out to shake hands, hoping the other individual will reintroduce himself or herself. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 21
Rule:When you forget a name, it is proper to simply admit it. Reason:It is worse to pretend to know someone’s name or to ignore him or her than to ask for the name. Application:Remember that everyone forgets names, even politicians. Simply say, “I’m sorry. I know that I’ve met you, but I can’t seem to remember my own name today (or something similar). You will have to help me out.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 20
Rule:Everyone has trouble remembering names. Repeating a name after you hear it and using it in subsequent conversation is the best insurance against forgetfulness. Reason:A wise college professor once said if we use a word or a name five times, we can claim it as ours. Application:Say the person’s name when you meet him or her and then say it several times while talking to that individual. Say, “Hello, John. It’s nice to meet you.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 19
Rule:Always repeat the name of a person to whom you have introduced. Reason:By repeating the name we can learn if we are saying it properly. Application:“Hello. Is it Gary or Barry?” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 18
Rule:Always repeat the name of a person you meet. Reason:As individuals we like the sound of our own name. Application:“Hi, Carey. How do you do?” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 17
Rule:Always repeat the name of a person you have just met. Reason:There are many. One reason to repeat the name is to help you remember it. Application:“Hello, Mr. Humphrey. It’s so nice to meet you.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 16
Rule:Always respond to a person-to-person introduction with a word of greeting along with the new acquaintance’s name. Reason:Greetings are usually friendly and non-threatening. Application:“Hello, Sam,” or “How are you, Sam?” or “Good to meet you, Sam,” or something similar. Remember to express a greeting and say the new friend’s name back to him or her. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 15
Rule:When making an introduction, it is not always necessary to repeat the names like a bouncing ball Reason:It sounds awkward to say, “Mrs. Jones, Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith, Mrs. Jones” when we are standing closely in a quiet environment. Application:“Mrs. Jones, I’d like to introduce Ms. Smith.” The two women are within close proximity to you and to one another. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 14
Rule:When making a person-to-person introduction, look at the person who needs the new information. You should not tell someone his or her own name by looking at him or her when you say the name. Reason:Sometimes it is difficult to hear and discern the name we hear in an introduction if the introducer looks away from us when he or she says the other person’s name. Application:Look at Angela and give her your boyfriend’s name. “Angela, this is Keith Lamb. We’ve been dating awhile.” Then turn to Keith and say, “Keith, Angela has been my friend since first grade.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 13
Rule:Introduce a junior associate to a senior executive. Reason:When the two individuals are within the company, we show respect to the higher ranking one. Application:Say, “Calvin, this is Ray Carter, our new division manager.” Then turn and say, “Mr. Carter, Calvin is our new associate.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 12
Rule:When introducing people always give each individual a little information about the other. Reason:It’s helpful to know something about the person we are meeting so we can make good conversation. Application:“Bert (customer), this is our CEO, Dr. Carl Gaddis. Dr. Gaddis, Bert is thinking about buying our new widget.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 11
Rule:Introduce your mom to your classmate. Reason:We honor those who are outside our family. Application:Say, “Clay, this is my mom.” (In this case, your mom has the same last name as you.) Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 10
Rule:When introducing a family member, honor the non-related individual. Reason:We love our family more, but just as we honor guests we show respect to them by presenting our family member’s name to them first. Application:Pretend your name is Brian Harvey. Introduce your mom to your teacher. Say, “Mr. Adamson, this is my mother, Barbara Helms.” Your teacher would feel awkward calling your mom, Mrs. Harvey. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 9
Rule:When you need to make an introduction and you do not know who should receive the most honor or respect, make the introduction anyway. Reason:Making the effort to introduce people is more important than all the rules. Application:Perhaps, two men of about the same age are your friends, but do not know one another. Say, “James Bain, this is Phil Grimes, my partner at work.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 8
Rule:Always introduce a less important person in rank to a higher ranking individual (younger to older, male to female, employee to the CEO, the CEO to any customer or client). Reason:Again, we want to honor (show respect to) the person with a higher position. Application:Say, “Mr. (Boss), this is our new associate, Miss Marks.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 7
Rule:The second basic rule of making introductions is to introduce a younger person to an older person. Reason:Again, we want to honor (show respect to) the older person. Application:Teach your child to look at the teacher and say, “Mrs. Appleby, this is my friend from Mr. Angler’s room, Sam Holstead.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 6
Rule:The basic rule of introducing people is to introduce a male to a female. Reason:In our society, we defer (pay respect to) the female over the male. Application:Think of the introduction as a present. For instance, present the male’s name to the female, by saying, “Mary Jones, I would like to give you a present (John Dailey).” You honor Mary by giving her the gift first. Then turn and say, “John this is Mary Jones.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 5
Rule:To make proper introductions, you must first decide who is more important (the one we should honor). Reason:Why decide the most important person first? So you can present one person’s name to another and show the proper respect. “Important” simply refers to the way we show respect in our society. A female is considered by our societal standards to be more “important” than the male. Application:In learning the proper way to introduce people, practice deciding in various situations which individual is the most important. For instance, decide that your friend, Mary, is more important than your friend, John, simply because she is female. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 4
Rule:It is important to give both the first and last names in an introduction. Reason:Sometimes we are not certain if we should call someone by the first name, and therefore, we need to know the last name. Application:If you are unsure, use the last name, such as, Mr. Smith, because Mr. Smith can always says, “Oh, just call me John.” You never go wrong using someone’s last name with a title. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 3
Rule:When making an introduction, if you find it impossible to remember the name of one of the friends, you should say the name of the friend you can remember. The other person will usually introduce herself or himself. Reason:Knowing a person’s name when we talk to him or her makes us and the friend feel more comfortable. Application:Look in the face of the friend whose name has escaped you and say, “I don’t think you have met Harry Webb, my friend from church.” The friend with the illusive name will probably say, “Hi, Harry. I’m Mel Innis.” Then Harry says, “Hello, Mel” as they shake hands. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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