Etiquette · Lesson 2 of 21 · 12 min

Greetings, handshakes and introductions

First impressions form in seconds. A clear greeting, the right handshake and a smooth introduction show confidence and warmth.

The handshake

Stand up to shake hands if you are seated.
Turn your face and shoulders towards the person and make direct eye contact.
Grip firmly but not hard: the Emily Post Institute compares it to the pressure you use to turn a door knob.
Keep it short: about 2 to 3 seconds, one or two shakes.
In professional settings the more senior person usually offers their hand first.
Grip varies by region: firmer in North America and Europe, gentler in Asia and the Middle East, where a hearty squeeze can feel aggressive.
Not everyone shakes hands, especially with the opposite gender. Start with a spoken greeting and let the other person show what they prefer. (More on this in the Emirati Etiquette module.)

Say the name of the person you want to honour first: the older person, the guest of honour, the more senior person. Example: 'Grandma, may I introduce my friend Sara. Sara, this is my grandmother, Mrs Haddad.'
With friends your own age, give first and last names. Across an age gap or in formal settings, use titles and surnames.
Add a hook so they can start talking: 'Sara is also applying to study architecture.'
When someone joins a group, introduce the newcomer to the group, then the group to the newcomer.
Do not steer people with a hand on their shoulder while introducing them.

Smile, make eye contact and say your full name clearly: 'Hello, I'm Omar Saleh.'
A traditional British exchange is 'How do you do?' answered with 'How do you do?'. It is a greeting, not a question.
If you did not catch someone's name, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them to repeat it.

Use the name once or twice in conversation, not more.
Link the name to something: a feature, a place, someone else you know with that name.
Repeat it when you say goodbye: 'Lovely to meet you, Lina.'

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Practise your handshake with three adults this week. Ask for honest feedback on grip and eye contact.
At your next family gathering, introduce a friend or cousin to an older relative using the 'honour first' rule and a conversation hook.
Learn the names of three people you see often but never greet (a security guard, a librarian, a neighbour) and use them.

1. You are seated when an adult comes to shake your hand. What do you do?

2. How long should a handshake last?

3. You are introducing your friend Ali to your school principal. Whose name do you say first?

4. In the Middle East, what kind of grip is usually expected?

5. You missed someone's name during an introduction. What should you do?