How to behave when meeting new people

In order to make a good impression on new individuals, read our list of dos and don’ts.

Do: Introduce yourself

No one is immune to the awkwardness of striking up a conversation with someone they don’t know, whether they’re a new hire or a long-time member of a social club. If you want to avoid any discomfort, it’s best to introduce yourself first.

Don’t: Do all the talking

People that are adept at talking to others also have the ability to listen. Ask clarifying questions to demonstrate that you are engaged in the conversation. Asking insightful questions may boost a person’s confidence.

Do: Smile on introduction

Brain stimulation from a friend’s grin is greater than that from money or many chocolate bars, according to studies. As could be expected, it does the same for social boundaries.

Don’t: Write people off at first glance

People’s first impressions of themselves are not always accurate. Effective chemistry isn’t always instant.

Do: Use names in conversations

Ending a conversation with a reference to the other person by name sends the implicit message that you paid attentive attention. The process will help you remember the person’s name for the next time you encounter them.

Don’t: Worry too much about what people make of you

Just chill down, be yourself, and know that people are interested in meeting you. Take inspiration from the proverb sometimes credited to W.B. Yeats. No one is an outsider here; they’re all just buddies you haven’t met yet.

Do: A little pre-meet brainstorming

In preparation, think about some potential discussion starters. Since the focus of an activity-based social gathering is on a common interest, it’s a great location to get beyond the awkward small chat that might plague other types of gatherings.

Don’t: Forget to thank the organizers

Another wonderful approach to express your thanks — and to make friends a bit more quickly — is to volunteer to help out at the conclusion of an event, such as a party or a Meetup group.

3 Common Mistakes You’re Making When You Meet New People

There is usually a lot going on when you are meeting new people and attempting to create a good first impression, whether you are at a networking event, a job interview, or a party. There are people to greet, shake hands with, and talk to. The best you can do is to try to make an impression that lasts.

But it’s safe to say that practically everyone sometimes blunders. And some false impressions may form if you make a few blunders. In an interview with Bustle, Christie Tcharkhoutian, a registered marriage and family therapist and professional matchmaker with Three Day Rule, warns against “making certain major blunders, like acting indifferent or forgetting someone’s name,” which might paint an inaccurate picture of the person. Everyone knows that first impressions are the most important, therefore being uninterested is the last thing you want to do.

According to Tcharkhoutian, “the impression you make on someone on your first encounter is critical in determining whether or not they will want to invest in you and continue establishing a relationship with you.” Our brains are hardwired to classify the information we get at a first encounter, whether it’s for business, friendship, or romantic interest.

The following are common blunders that we all make while interacting with strangers, according to experts. If you want to make a terrific first impression and actually win someone over on the first encounter, you should avoid these things.

1: Avoiding Eye Contact

The anxiety of making a new acquaintance might make you want to gaze at everything but the person you just met. If you find yourself feeling tense, remember to take a deep breath and maintain eye contact.

Health and fitness expert Caleb Backe tells Bustle that “making eye contact gives a certain feeling of confidence, self-assuredness, and trustworthiness, while avoiding eye contact speaks to insecurity and anxiousness.” But if you look at the person you’re speaking with, you’ll show them that you’re paying attention to what they’re saying.

2: Giving a Weak Handshake

The way you shake hands with someone is one of the first things they notice about you, and it’s not as little as it may appear. Life coach and etiquette expert Mary Frances McGraw tells Bustle that “whether the shake is weak or strong, both may be off-putting.” The correct technique to shake hands is to quickly grip the other person’s hand, give it one or two pumps (a little movement up and down), and then release it. And it’s one that’ll ooze assurance in every possible way.

3: Blanking On Their Name

If you’re in the situation of meeting a lot of new individuals all at once, it might be difficult to keep track of everyone’s names. Don’t freak out if you forget.

Etiquette expert and president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol Jacquelyn Youst tells Bustle that if you forget someone’s name, all you have to do is admit it. “Admit your guilt and apologies. The very thought of your name has escaped me.” You may avoid more embarrassment by trying out some of these strategies after they repeat the name to you.