Pan African e-Network Project at BITS Pilani

1
Introducing Yourself

Prof.Sangeeta
Sharma
Department of Languages
BITS,Pilani
NAM SKAR

COLLAGE OF GREETINGS
 Objectives

• To be aware of general ways of

introducing
• To be sensitive to the non verbal cues

4
 While introducing
• Look at the person and try to make proper make
eye contact
• Always smile
• Say Good morning/afternoon/good
evening/hello!
• Whilst saying these words, offer your hand for a
handshake
• Say your full name and immediately ask for theirs
• Giving a Nickname is absolutely fine, but it is not
appropriate to say your name is your nickname

02/08/22 5
02/08/22 6
02/08/22 7
02/08/22 8
• Once you have introduced yourself, they
should introduce themselves
• It is always better to tell about your
background in order to start your
conversation
• Do not forget to talk on topics in which the
other person is interested in

02/08/22 9
 State whether it is true of false
• You can look somewhere else while
introducing yourself
• Smile is a good idea
• You should always shake hands with the other
person
• You need know not the other person

02/08/22 10
 GREETING BODY LANGUAGE
• There are many possible components of greeting as the styles vary significantly
across social groups and cultures.
• Greeting is a ritual that helps break the ice and paves the way for appropriate
other interaction.
• Greetings can include signals that may even be secret, for example saying 'we're in
the same club'.
• Formality is often an important factor, and when you move from a formal greeting
to an informal greeting is an important factor in development of a friendship. Too
early and it is an insult. Too late and it you may be considered arrogant or distant.
 HANDSHAKE
• Handshake variables include:

• Strength (weak - strong)

• Temperature (cold - hot)
• Moisture (damp - dry)
• Fullness of grip (full - partial)
• Duration (brief - long)
• Speed (slow - fast)
• Complexity (shake - dance)
• Texture (rough - smooth)
• Eye contact (prolonged - intermittent - none)
• Style:
• A firm grip shows confidence, whilst a limp grip may indicate timidity, particularly
in men (women may be expected to be more gentile). A firm grip by men also
indicates they are more sensation-seeking.
• Palm down indicates dominance and a feeling of superiority ('I am on top'). Palm
sideways indicate equality. Palm up indicates submission
• A long handshake can indicate pleasure and can signal dominance, particularly if
one person tries to pull away and the dominant person does not let them.
• Dominance may also be shown by using the other hand to grip the person, such as
at the wrist, elbow, arm or shoulder. This may also be done by gripping the shaken
hand with both of your hands.
• Hand-touching is also used, for example the 'high five', where open palms are
touched high in the air, or where closed fists are tapped.
 SALUTE
Salute variables include:

•Shape of hand (straight - curved)

•Speed (fast - slower)
•Head-touch (forehead - none)
•Shape (up-down - curved)
• Style
• The salute is a formal greeting where the open hand is brought up to the
forehead. It is often used in the military in a strictly prescribed manner and
situation.
• There are several possible origins of this, including:
• Shading the eyes from the brilliance of a superior person.
• An abbreviation of raising one's hat or tugging the forelock (in the absence of a
hat).
• Raising helmet visor to show the face (to allow recognition and dispel fears of
enmity).
• Raising the hand to show it does not contain a weapon.
 BOWING

• Bowing variables include:

• Lowering (slight - very low)

• Pivot (head - waist)
• Duration (short - long)
• Gender style (bow - curtsey)
• Style

• Bowing is another formal greeting and can be as extreme as a full 90 degree bend
from the waist to even complete prostration on the floor. This averts the eyes ('I
dare not look at your majesty') and exposes the head ('You can kill me if you
wish').
• Bowing amongst peers is commonly used in a severely contracted form as a slight
nod of the head. Even in the shortened form, the lower and longer the bow, the
greater the respect that is demonstrated.
• If eye contact is maintained during a bow, it can signify either mistrust or liking.
Looking down as you bow indicates submission, although this also can just be a
formal action.
• The female variant on the bow is the courtsey, which again can be a full sinking to
the floor or a slight bob. Similarly to bowing, this puts the person lower than the
other person and into a position of greater vulnerability.
• Bowing is different in different cultures. In countries such as Japan it is clearly
defined and an important part of greetings. In other countries it is less important
or maybe seen as obsequious.
 WAVING
• Variables for waving include:

• Open palm (flat - curved)

• Movement angle (big - small)
• Raised (above head - held low)
• Direction (sideways rotation - up-down)
• Style
• Waving can be done from a distance. This allows for greeting when
you first spot another person. It also allows for
• Waves gain attention and a big, overhead wave can attract a person
from some distance. This also makes others look at you and is not
likely from a timid person.
• A stationary palm, held up and facing out is far less obvious and
may be flashed for a short period, particularly if the other person is
looking at you (all you need is that they see the greeting).
• Greeting children is often done with a small up-and-down
movement of fingers, holding the rest of the palm still. Between
adults, this can be a timid or safe signal from a child position ('I
won't harm you - please don't harm me.').
 HUGGING
• Hugging variables include:

• Hand placement (shoulder, etc.)

• Arms touch (none - wrap)
• Body position (front - side - behind)
• Pressure (light - strong)
• Body touching (none - full)
• Gender (man/woman - man/woman)
• Styles

• Hugging is a closer and more affectionate form of greeting than

shaking hands and perhaps reflects a desire for bonding.
• Hugging is generally more common between friends, although its
usage does vary across cultures and is common in some places.
Gender rules may also apply, for example hugging in America is far
more common between women than between men. Harassment laws
may also limit touching of the other person in what may be
interpreted as an intimate way.
 FACIAL SIGNALS
• The face is used a great deal in sending greeting
signals, and accompanies other greeting activity
for example saying:
• Smiling: I am pleased to see you.
• Frowning: I am angry with you.
• Raised eyebrows: I am surprised to see you.
• Eyebrows together: I do not know your name.
• Looking down: I am inferior to you.
• Expressionless: I do not care about you.
 OTHER GREETINGS
• There are many other ways in which people greet and
further subtleties around the actions above, including:
• Touching or raising a hat
• Pressing or rubbing noses
• Touching or pressing bodies together in certain places and
ways
• Moving the body through a defined locus
• Giving of gifts
• Touching palms or fists
• Greetings may also be extended to parting, for which there
are many similar rituals, including handshakes, bows and
words of praise.
 EACH TO HIS OWN

THE FORMAL/NORMAL HUMAN WAY

It is fascinating to observe the differences in how people greet each other in
different countries. What can be a show of affection among friends in one
country, can signal an amorous advance in another.
In France, when people first see each other they
“faire la bise” which means “do the kiss”. The
most common way to “faire la bise” is one kiss on
each cheek.

The custom at a formal business meeting is

shaking hands. ( would you kiss your boss?)
When first meeting someone in the US, most people will
shake hands. Some women don’t follow this custom, but
most younger women do. Most people in the business
world shake hands when meeting a business associate
whether for the first time, or even if they’ve met before.
But if two people work in the same office, they may not
shake hands every day
 BEWARE

There is some grey area about customs in

general. They can be interpreted differently
depending on the region and also the
individual.

One thing is sure, be mindful when greeting an

individual from another culture. That one
friendly kiss we’d give to friend in New York,
would signal something more romantic in Paris
 FROM AROUND THE WORLD

‡
Hawaii: They always greet people with a hug and kiss on the cheek

‡
In the Dominican Republic women greet friends with a kiss in the cheeks
(regardless of sex). Man usually greet other men with a handshake and an
upper body hug
In Poland shake hands when it’s concerned with a business meeting and when
meeting on a personal note.
‡
Today in China just shake hands in formal situations, and say hi in informal ones, but
traditionally men usually make a bow with hands folded in front, and women bend
the knees a little with their hands leveled at one side of their waists
In Arab countries greetings differs from Country to country.
In Egypt : women the most common thing is to kiss once on every cheek and between
men :they shake hands but may kiss also
‡
According to Spanish etiquette, people also kiss (one on each cheek) when meeting.
‡
In Filipino culture, you are supposed to take the hand of someone older than you and
press it to your forehead.
Ukrainians greet each other with an embrace and three kisses. Kiss the right cheek, then
the left cheek, and then the right cheek again. This signifies the Holy Trinity -Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost. You’ll find that many Ukrainian customs are done in threes for this
particular reason. Kissing on the cheeks is for both men and women. It is not uncommon
to witness two men embrace and kiss each other three times -this is an acceptable form
even for the old timers.
 THE SHAKING HANDS NATIONS

Portuguese:
Kiss twice, beginning with the right cheek (this between women!) Men often shake
hands or hug if friends. Men only kiss each other when they are father and son

Indonesia:
Shake hands when it’s a formal situation even otherwise.

Argentina:
Shake hands and say hello.

Germany:
Usually give a handshake or hold the right hand with the other male person and with
the other arm they hug with a more or less hard pound on the back of the other
person. While introducing you also shake hands regardless which sex it is
THE “RECOMMENDED TEN” THAT WILL HOLD YOU IN GOOD STEAD

1. Stand up when you meet someone

This allows you to engage the person on an equal level -eye to eye. By remaining
seated, you send a message that you don't think the other person is important enough
to warrant the effort it takes to stand. If you find yourself in a position where you can't
stand up (such as being trapped behind a potted plant) offer an apology and an
explanation. You might say something like, "Please excuse me for not getting up. I can't
seem to get around the foliage."
 2. Smile

Your facial expression says more than your words. Look as if you are pleased to meet
the other person regardless of what is on your mind. Put a smile on your face for the
person standing before you.

3. Make eye contact

Looking at the people you meet says you are focused and interested in them.? If you
are staring off somewhere else, you may appear to be looking for someone more to
your liking to come along.
 4. Introduce yourself immediately

As soon as you approach people you don't know or are approached by them, say who you
are. Don't stand around as if someone else is in charge of introductions.

5. Include a statement about who you are when necessary

It is not always enough to say, "Hello, I'm Mary Jones." Give more information. "Hello, I'm
Mary Jones. I work for XYZ Corporation.
 6. Learn how to make smooth introductions

 
In business you always introduce less important people to more important people. The
way to do this is to say the name of the more important person first, followed by the
words "I'd like to introduce..." and then give the other person's name. Be sure to add
something about each person so they will know why they are being introduced and will
have some information with which to start a conversation

7. Know who the more important person is

The client or the business prospect is more important than your boss. Just hope your
boss agrees
 8. Pay attention to names when you meet people
 
It is all too common to be thinking about what you are going to say next and not focus
on the other person. If you concentrate and repeat the name as soon as you hear it, you
stand a better chance of remembering it later

9. Use first names of people whom you have just met only after they give you
permission

Not everyone wants to be addressed informally on the initial encounter. It is better

to err on the side of formality than to offend the other person right off the bat.
 TAIL PIECE

In India shaking hands is the most common form of greeting. Just a piece of advice-let
the lady proffer her hand out first before you make a grab for it. You will always be
right if stand up to greet-especially while meeting someone for the first time.