Make An Impressive Introduction!

New place, new faces, unfamiliar surroundings!

It is natural to get homesick and feel that you are all alone and helpless. You start missing your friends. It gets even worse if you feel you are being treated unfairly because there is a language barrier. But don’t worry. We will tell you how to make that charming first impression and set the ball rolling with the new set of people around you. No need to get nervous. Just follow these simple tips and we assure you, you will be a hit wherever you go:-

Initiating a conversation:

Always begin with a smile. A nice gentle smile goes a long way in establishing that initial connection with a stranger. It gives you an opportunity to say something about yourself.

You can start with a simple greeting - “Hello! I am ____.”And then ask for the other person’s name. It is also a good habit to slow down and say your name clearly. Once you know the name of the other person, ask something about the person like “Where are you from?” or “What do you do?” Also make sure you take the person’s name while asking the question. This will help you remember the name and it shows your interest in the other person.

e.g. What do you do, Sneha? / Sneha, where are you from?

Body Language:

While you are saying the initial words, remember that your tone of voice as well as body language have a major impact. You will want to project enthusiasm by using an upbeat and a positive tone of voice. While hand gestures should be as less as possible, make sure you maintain eye contact as looking into the eyes of the listener while speaking shows that you are giving your complete undivided attention.

What to talk about:

You could start by giving some personal details about yourself like your native place or even hobbies after which you can casually ask the other person about the same. Try to talk about something in common and if not, choose common topics such as sports, music, food or even the weather. It will help you establish a rapport with the other person. Try to stay away from boring or depressingly serious news events. Moreover, if you are talking about religion or politics, do not try to impose or force your beliefs as some people could be really sensitive when it comes to such issues. Try and use humour. Be supportive and positive. Always avoid asking for a favour or money.

Closing the conversation:

You could end your conversation with a cordial “Hope to see you around” or “It was really nice meeting you”. And last but not the least, always be POLITE!

Don’t forget, people quickly form opinions based on first impressions and that is why making a good first impression is extremely important. Whether you are in a classroom, a coffee house, a conference room, a restaurant or online, the ability to introduce yourself effectively is a useful communication skill. Thus, follow the above mentioned pointers and go out and impress everybody with your newly acquired social skills!