Introduction in American Culture

Thanks God, it's Friday. Even it is gloomy, we always have to give thanks to Allah, right. Well, guys. I think today is a good time to study rather than you just lay in your beloved bed, don't you? Now, I wanna tell you about 'Introduction', how to introduce someone or how to introduce yourself, especially in American culture. I got this material from some books.

1.      Definition

Introduction is a formal presentation of one person to another, in which each is told the others name. (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)

2.      Introducing Others

You can introduce people by saying :

It’s my pleasure to introduce Frank Brown.*        formal Mrs. Johnson, I’d to introduce Mr. Brown. Mrs. Johnson, I’d like you to meet Mr. Brown. Patty, this is Frank. Patty, have you meet Frank ? Patty, do you know Frank ?                                   informal

*This expression is generally used to introduce a person to a group of people.

Some replies :

How do you do ?                                                   formal (It’s a) pleasure to meet you. (I’m) glad to meet you. (I’m) happy to meet you. Hello. Hi.                                                                          Informal

In general, subordinate are presented to superiors, men to women, younger to older.

3.      Introducing yourself

You can introduce yourself by saying:

I’d like to introduce myself. I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I don’t think we’ve met. Have we met before? I don’t think you know me. Hello. Hi.

formal                 My name’s Liz Smith*  Informal

          *You can also say: I’m Liz Smith. 

Some replies:

How do you do?                                formal        (it;s a) pleasure to meet you. (it’s) nice to meet you. (I’m) glad to meet you. (I’m) happy to meet you.                                  Hello. Hi.                                                       informal

4.      Form of Address

Here are some of the common titles used in English.

Mr.                                 Professor                                 Reverend Mrs.                                Dr.                                          Judge Miss                               Father                                     Officer Ms.                                 Rabbi

When making a formal introduction in English, the introducer often uses the people’s When making an informal introduction in English, the introducer generally uses the people first names. Sometimes first and last names are used. Titles and family names.

Most Americans have three names:

1)      A first name (sometimes called a given)

2)      A middle name (or an initial)

3)      And the last name (called the family name , or surname.)

In some very informal situation, the introduce may use only the people’s names.

5.      Nonverbal Introduction 
   In additions to verbal expressions, people also use nonverbal body language when making introductions. When we make nonverbal introductions, we use our bodies instead of words to make the introductions. Everyone uses nonverbal body language when speaking. However, the specific manner in which it is used varies from culture to culture.

Here are some important features nonverbal introductions for North Americans:

•        Eye Contact •        Relative Distance Between Speakers •        Facial Expressions •        Handshaking •        Use of Hands and Head Two Introduce People

6.      Making Small Talk after  Introduction

In English there are certain “safe” topics which people frequently bring up when they first meet. These topics are often called small talk. Four common areas of small talk are:

1.      A  person’s personal background

2.      A person’s work/educational background

3.      A person’s special interest (such as sports, music, politics)

4.      The weather

Following is a chart of small-talk topics. It includes one polite and one impolite question in each category. Questions considered impolite to ask right away are usually quite personal or put people on the defensive. These same questions may be perfectly acceptable to ask once you become better acquainted with the person; however, if asked too soon, such question may make the other person angry or embarrassed.

 

small talk topics                                   polite to ask                             impolite to ask

A person’s personal         background	Where do you live?	How much your rent?
A person’s work or educational background	What kind of work do you do?	How much money do you earn?
A person’s special interest	Are you interested in classical music?	What religion are you?
The weather	Are you enjoying all this snow we’re having?	Why is the weather in your city so terrible

7.      Differences culture between Indonesia and America in Introduction 
    There are a lot of cultural differences among Indonesian and American. The Americans use eye contact and handshaking in their introduction with all people. They assume that eye contact is the polite side if talking to someone. Besides that when shaking hands, they shake firmly and briefly. They do not like making the prolonged handshaking.

Different from Indonesians, in introductions, they have some styles of handshaking and eye contact. It depends of the age and the genre. If someone meet another one who same genre and age, make handshaking and eye contact is common and polite. Different way if a man wants to know a girl, he has to careful, because there is a girl who doesn’t do handshaking. It based on the religion. Eye contact doesn’t need if they are talking to elder people whom they have to kiss the elders’ hands. It is impolite in Indonesia.

      Talking about using of titles in introductions, in America using the title in the name is based on the status or age. The people of lower status and age have to call Mr, Prof, Dr, or Mdm with the second, last or the family name. In out of the office or classroom, they prefer to call their professor with the nick name or the first name. It is commonly in informal situations. It is very different from Indonesia. Either formal or informal situations the students must call their teacher with the title. It is so impolite if they call their teacher’s name without title Mr or Mdm.

       Small talk in Americans’ introduction are about the general information. It is like asking “What do you do?”, “Are you a student in here?”, etc. It is impolite and not customary if asking about personal identity, such as “Are you single?” or “Do you have a boyfriend?”. The Indonesians do the opposite of those. They always give personal questions after introduction. The questions contain asking about statue, address, until number of mobile phone. It is very common.

      In additional, the Americans always greet each other (although they do not know each other) at a glance even make us feel have a fellow human being. Say hello, chat briefly about the weather or the child is still the custom in the middle of the more individualistic American society. The Indonesians never do something like that because of another reasons. The first is because they do not know each other. The second is because of arrogant attitude. The last is because just that the Indonesian’s culture.

,   If you ask me which one is better between these these culture, i think the better one is American culture because if they be acquainted with someone they really keep their personality. it is very different with Indonesian, usually they ask her/his phone number, address or, social media, you know, that's very common but actually it annoys.