First Impressions (Part 3)
/4. Language: Say, "It's a pleasure to meet you, [so-and-so]." You will need to repeat this person's name three times during the first meeting if you want to remember the name. Please note: English speakers say "meet" only on the first meeting. On a following meeting, say, "It's nice to see you again." (Not "meet you again.") Another option might be: "It's really great to finally meet you, Susan. Ben here has told me so many good things about you."
5. Informality: Americans tend to be less formal than many cultures and often call each other by first name. If you are a student meeting other students your age, this is appropriate. However, it is not a bad idea to show respect to an older person when you first meet him/her by using the person's title plus last name (instead of first name only). Here, you can take a cue from the person who is introducing you. Note the difference in the sentences below.
· Khalil, this is my old friend, Bob. (Your reply: "Nice to meet you, Bob.")
· Khalil, this is my friend, Bob Pesek. Dr. Pesek is director of XYZ Institute. (Your polite reply: "It's nice to meet you, Dr. Pesek.")
After a while in the conversation, Dr. Pesek may invite you to "call me Bob," which you are then welcome to do. Note: Americans use a title (Mr, Ms,* Dr, Capt, Pastor) only with a last name. Some cultures (for example, Arabic) use the title along with a first name, but this is inappropriate in English. So, for example, do not say "Mr. Alan" or "Ms. Jaclyn."