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."