1 Work in small groups. Make introductions and initiate a talk in the following situations:

• You are having a drink in a cafe with your friend Harry. Another friend, Mike, comes across. Introduce Harry to Mike. Invite Harry to join you.

• You are introduced to an American journalist at a reception. Start a conversation with him/her.

• You meet the participants of the International Conference held by Belarusian State University. Introduce yourself and outline the program for the first day of the conference.

• During a coffee break at the conference you are introduced to an American professor. Start a conversation with him/her.

• You are in Washington at a reception after the International Environmental Conference. Start a series of conversations with different people. Introduce yourself, chat for a few minutes with one guest, then move on to another guest. End each conversation by saying: “Well, it’s been nice talking to you , but I really must be going now. See you later, perhaps.” Let others start a conversation with you and ask questions.

Communication of Cultures and Culture of Communication

Do you know the basic rules of introductions?

When introducing people to each other just remember that:

• A man is always introduced to a woman, not a woman to a man.

• The honoured one’s name is said first; the name of the person being presented follows

“May I present Professor Carter?”, “I have the honour to introduce the Dean of our faculty.” “Later on I’d like to present you to the head of the Department.” -- They are all correct, but very formal and a bit stiff for modern usage. In most situations a plain and simple “Professor Carter, Mr. Crown” is enough – or, if you like “Professor Carter, this is Mr. Crown”.

• Present the young to the old.

• When you are introduced you stand, whether being introduced to a man or a woman.

• When more than two people are involved in your introduction, forget about rank or sex (for the moment). Mention the newcomer’s name, then the names of the others in the order in which they happen to be sitting or standing at the time.

• At large informal parties in your own house it is a nuisance to everyone to take each new guest on an introduction tour of the room.

• In public places when the meeting is to be brief an introduction is unnecessary.

• If you are on first-name terms with a person you are introducing to a friend, you may say “Bill Carter, Kelly Crown” or “Bill, this is Kelly”.

• Being introduced do not say: “How are you?” Do say: “How do you do?” (formal) or “Hello!” (informal). Only after this routine you can say “Pleased to meet you”, or “Nice to meet you”.

Comprehension Check

Are these sentences true () or false ()? Correct the false sentences

1. A woman is always introduced to a man. 

2. The young are presented to the old. 

3. Being introduced say: ‘How are you?’ 

4. You stand only in case you are introduced to a woman. 

5. Being introduced say: ‘Glad to see you” 

6. Take each new guest on introduction tour of the room 