LANGUAGE / FIRST MEETINGS
Names, introductions and forms of address
A respectful introduction leaves room for the person in front of you instead of forcing a universal rule onto a relationship.
THE SHORT VERSION
- Use the name and form of address a person offers, and ask when the relationship makes the choice unclear.
- Keep introductions short, pronounce what you can and let the other person set the pace.
- Record context and regional variation rather than presenting one form as the national default.
Let the person lead
Listen for the name, title or form of address someone uses for themselves and follow it. A request to use a shorter name, a title or a written form is information about that relationship, not a puzzle to solve from a rulebook.
Offer a usable introduction
A greeting, your name and the reason you are meeting is enough for a first exchange. If pronunciation is difficult, ask for a slower repetition or a written version rather than guessing loudly.
Notice the setting
A hotel desk, work introduction, shared meal and invitation into a home can carry different expectations. Keep the account specific to that setting and avoid turning a courtesy into a claim about everyone.
Keep consent in the story
Do not publish a person's name, photo or translation as decoration. Check what they are comfortable sharing, especially when a casual introduction becomes a public profile.
SOURCE DESK
How to read this guide
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