Archive for the ‘Introductions’ Category

First Impressions

Nov 8th, 11 / 0 Comments

We all have our favorites, right? Favorite song, TV show, food, movie, child! Oops – NO favorite child!

I admit to having a favorite class I teach.  I love teaching it so much that I try to weave bits and pieces into nearly every course I teach. It’s the one where I get to talk to kids and adults about the first impression they are making. It is my favorite because I believe it is so important.

One, two, three… maybe four. Done. First impression made. That quickly, that easily.

Ever heard of judging a book by its’ cover? You probably have when your mom told you NOT to do just that. Get to know people, don’t make assumptions about who they are based on how they look. Sound familiar? I talk to my three kids about this and earnestly believe in it.

But then I also tell them something else. As I do with all the students in my classes.

You will always be judged by your cover.

What does your cover say about you?

Do you have a nice firm handshake?

Do you make eye contact when you speak to people?

Are you smiling, giving off a warm and welcoming vibe? Or are you cool, non-chalant and don’t really care?

Does your body language say that you are confident (everyone has to fake it sometimes)?

Are you dressed appropriately for the setting and occasion?

Unfortunately, many people are out there interviewing these days. Your first impression will account for a great deal of the success of your interview. Make a poor first impression and you have an uphill battle. Same in the classroom with kids. Teachers also form first impressions. We are ALL guilty.

Hopefully we can take the time to get beyond that first impression. Sometimes we are not given a chance or give others a chance.

A first impression is made once and only once. Get it? That’s why it is called a first impression.

Make sure your book’s cover is saying the right thing about you.

Mind Your Manners,

Kelly

 

 

Etiquette Tips, handshakes, Introductions, Out and About Etiquette, Uncategorized

Etiquette Tip #2

Mar 22nd, 11 / 0 Comments

When introducing two people who don’t know each other, always state the more important person’s name first. Yikes! How do I decide who exactly is more important?

The more “important” person is based on rank, position, age (old people rule!) or by gender (in social situations, a woman’s name should be stated first; sorry guys -chics also rule).

Let’s say you are introducing your boss to a client. Whose name do you state first? The boss who pays you on the 15th  and 30th of every month or the client who makes it possible for your boss to pay you on the15th and 30 of every month?

That’s right my little trainees. You would state your client’s name first.

What about when introducing your child’s school principal to your wife or husband? Whose name is stated first? The husband who still loves you dearly despite all your shortcomings (oops – didn’t mean to get personal) ? Or the principal who will most certainly ensure that your brilliant prodigy child gets into the gifted and talented program upon a VERY successful kindergarten year?

Well done polite peeps! You would state the principal’s name first out of respect for his/her position of authority (plus you completely want that GT program).

Two more things about introducing two people. Try to stand between them when introducing and make sure you state both names twice, to help everyone remember names of their new acquaintances. For example, “Captain Kangaroo, I’d like  to introduce my sister Jill. Jill, I’d like you to meet Captain Kangaroo.”

The next several etiquette tips will be all about making conversation with these great people you just met via a proper introduction.

Mind Your Manners,

Kelly

Etiquette Tips, Introductions