Meeting people

Using the right vocabulary and phrases are important when you meet someone or introduce yourself in English. First impressions are important, so here's our guide to using the right expression in the right situation.

Greetings

Two friends meeting

Friends often say "Hi" to each other. Then they often ask a general question, such as "How are you?" or "How are things?" or "How's life?"

The reply to this question is normally positive.

"Fine thanks, and you?"
"Fine thanks, what about yourself?"
"Not bad." Or "Can't complain."

Example
Clare: "Hi Sarah, how are you?"
Sarah: "Fine thanks, and you?"
Clare: "Yeah, fine. What have you been up to recently?"

Greeting people you don't know

You can say "Hello" to people you don't know. A more formal greeting is "Good morning / afternoon / evening."

"My name is (Clare)."

The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used, and then makes some polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"

Introducing yourself

When you introduce yourself to someone new, what you say depends on how formal the situation is.

At an informal party

"Hello, I'm Clare." Or "Hello, my name's Clare"

The reply could be:
"Hi, I'm Sarah." Or " Hello Clare, I'm Sarah." Or "Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah."

At work-related events

"I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Clare Whitmell, from english@home."

The reply could be:
"Nice to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations."
"How do you do? I'm Peter Mitchell from Mitchell Creations."

Introducing other people

When you introduce two people to each other, what you say depends on the situation.

Introducing a friend to a work colleague

"Sarah, have you met my colleague John?"
"Sarah, I'd like you to meet my colleague John."

Sarah says:
"Pleased to meet you, John." Or "Nice to meet you, John."
John could say:
"Nice to meet you, too, Sarah." Or "Hello, Sarah."

Introducing clients

This is a more formal situation.

"Mr. Mitchell, I'd like to introduce you to my manager, Henry Lewis."

Mr. Mitchell could then say:
"How do you do?" and Henry Lewis also says "How do you do?"

Or Mr. Mitchell could say:
"Pleased to meet you" or "Good to meet you."

At a more informal party

When you introduce two of your friends to each other, you can simply say,
"John, this is Sarah."

Cultural considerations

In a work situation, there's often one person who has higher status - your boss, or a client, for example. In these contexts, it's polite to address them as "Mr.." until the situation becomes more informal.

However, some people will say to you, "Please call me (Henry)", and then you know that you can use first names. If someone calls you by your first name as soon as they meet you, then you can also use their first name too.

What do you call women? Some men prefer not to call women by their names at all, until the situation is more informal. Of course, friends, colleagues and family will always use first names.

Men and women in European and English-speaking cultures often shake hands when they meet someone for the first time.

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