Exchanging Greetings and Introductions (1960)

[Music] as this ever happened to you arriving at a brand new school in a brand new neighborhood on the first day you don't know a single person you want to get acquainted but you don't quite know how to go about it you decide to wait a while and see what happens uh-oh hi you new here aren't you remember the last school maybe these three are here to pick a fight you have to be careful what it to you that was the wrong thing to say you thought they were troublemakers and because of the way you answered they now think you are a troublemaker have you ever had an experience like this and wished that you could have a second chance a chance to do things right if you could have a second chance let's see what might have happened this time you don't expect the worst ah you're new here aren't you that's right funny J Martin my name is Jack Boer this is Bob R and her it was such a simple thing when you had a second chance to say and do the right thing the only trouble is you can't relive the moments in which you make mistakes it's important to learn what to do and say the first time of course you have to be aware of what you might be doing wrong before you can improve perhaps you are like this boy a really nice person who just doesn't know how to return a greeting so you respond with a cold nod of the head or at most a mumbled reply the person who receives such a greeting gets the idea that you're a grouch and if you do it to enough people often enough you'll begin to wonder why others are so unfriendly to you perhaps you are guilty of still another lack of skill in greeting people have you ever met someone and waited for that person to speak first if the other person doesn't speak and if you don't speak each of you may form the wrong opinion of the other the need for an introduction can occur any time anywhere do you recognize those occasions I thought you might like a ride home I sure do I hate to wait for the bus I don't believe I've met your Mother Mary oh this isn't my mother this is Mrs Fredericks our next door neighbor oh if you fail to introduce people you can't blame them for jumping to the wrong conclusion it can be embarrassing perhaps you don't know what to say when you're introduced to someone new you lack ease and Assurance in your manner I guess you two don't know each other Tommy Burke this is Ted Hall hi Ted because you lack confidence in yourself you don't bother to even answer a friendly greeting if you are like this boy or if any of these difficulties in exchanging Greetings or introductions apply to you it should be clear that you need to improve your ability your failure to reply shows that you don't know that the reason for exchanging greetings and introductions is simply to show courtesy and consideration for others the situation determines the type of greeting or introduction formal or informal that you should use a ball game gives us an example of an informal greting Hello Johnny hi Miss much of the game only three or four minutes in some situations with people that you know well informal behavior is correct even in informal introductions a girl's name is usually mentioned first Cathy this is my best friend Bruce Cathy is my cousin from Colorado how are you it's a good idea to supply some information about each person you are introducing you use the formal type of greeting or introduction in situations that are outside your family or circle of very close friends for example Dr SP I want want you to meet my son Stuart how do you do Dr Sears hi Stuart real nice to meet you sir formal introductions are necessary in many situations let's look at a few typical examples that you may encounter suppose your school is having an open house for parents if your teacher and your parents have never met it's up to you to make the introductions hi J how are you fine Mrs Steven I'd like you to meet my parents Mr and Mrs Saunders how do you do I'm very it's proper to mention first the name of the person you wish to honor since the teacher is outside of your family her name is mentioned first your parents and your teacher have a common interest to discuss your education in other situations however B I'd like to introduce you to Tommy's father Mr Carson this is my father Mr Perry how do you do in this case the introduction of total strangers may end with an awkward silence unless you provide a topic of mutual interest Tommy Carson plays first Bas on our ball team dad well he must be the boy that set up that double play last Friday say for a boy his age he's quite a ball player well I guess it runs in the family I've always been a fan and used to play some in the old days was that so with your help even total strangers can find something to talk about when making formal introductions you should observe several rules of courtesy Mr G I'd like to introduce my friend Steve Bailey when introducing a young person to an older person you should show respect for age by saying the older person's name first if one of the persons you are introducing is a person of Distinction you should honor him by mentioning his name first Judge Parker this is my cousin Susan D well hi Susan are you going to school this morning someday perhaps very soon you will have the opportunity to introduce someone to your class or to some other large group of people but it's a very special treat Jimmy has brought a visitor to our class Jimmy would you like to introduce our visitors yes please when our class started studying about South America I thought about my uncle who has spent a lot of time there he travels in South America for an oil company and knows a lot about life in South America next it is proper courtesy to present a speaker by first addressing the teacher the class and finally the guest of honor his name is given last so the audience can remember it Mrs Stevens class I'd like to introduce my uncle Mr Charles Blake thank you Jimmy Mrs Stevens members of the class I since Jimmy has explained his uncle's background of experience in South America the members of the class clearly understand that he speaks with authority on the subject greetings and introductions will always play an important part in your life every day you will have an occasion to greet someone to introduce yourself or to introduce others here are some basic rules to help you be sincere if someone says hello do what is natural say hi or hello right back to him if you feel that you should show more respect answer a greeting with how do you do in introductions be sure to speak each person's name clearly if you don't understand ask that the name be repeated if you are introducing yourself add some personal identifying remark the same rule applies when introducing other people it helps people remember as well as start the conversation when introducing strangers try to make a remark that will help to start a conversation when introducing a boy and a girl the name of the girl should be given first when introducing an older person to to a younger person get the older person's name first show respect for your elders if you introduce someone to your class show courtesy by addressing the teacher and the class before you introduce the speaker the guest's name should be given last so others will remember it other people will notice your skill in following these simple but important rules greetings and introductions serve to put people at ease to make them feel welcome you will be admired if you master the simple skills of exchanging greetings and introductions practice different kinds of introductions at school at home and with your classmates as you continue to practice you will gain confidence and self assurance valuable assets to carry with you throughout your entire lifetime [Music]