I once introduced a girl, saying we'd worked together previously(the place was bought out and closed) and when everyone "hated" her...they tip toed around me....:0)

I just say "this is X"....then "X" has to "perform"....it's not on me......(learned the hard way)

I'm not sure why you working together previously caused that? Strange for them! People are just odd sometimes. I guess that's guilty by association in action. (((nicole)))

I guess I don't get the question?
I just say, "Tammy, this is Bonnie", "Bonnie - Tammy"
Why is any further explanation/information necessary?

I usually do as Angelaid said, Or this is my mother Mary or Mrs so and so. Mom this is Sally. It doesn't have to be difficult.
Mary

I don't really understand the question, either. Are you talking about at work? In your personal life?

Is there a problem with simply saying "Sue, this is Joe/ Joe, Sue", or something like that?

I keep it simple too. I don't understand why you'd say someone is your good friend if s/he isn't. I'd find it strange if a casual acquaintance described me as a good friend.

If we're in a social situation I might give them something to get a conversation started:

"Maybe you've heard Skip's jazz program on the radio."

"I had to pry Alana off her bicycle to get her here tonight."

"I know one thing you two have in common: You both drive Subarus."

That sort of thing.

No problems or difficulties. Just conversation like everything else on this board. For fun, ya know?!

To be honest, I can't remember the last time anyone introduced me or introduced someone to me in my personal life. Other than--when I joined my son's marching band pit crew last fall, and it went something like this: They stopped what they were doing, nodded and said hello when the main guy said that's Mary, her husband Bob is upstairs, this is John... It seems to be an artform that is fast losing it's usefulness. Why, I don't know? At work, it can be a little more daunting, but still highly enjoyable. For instance, since I am Western raised, I make sure to be very careful when introducing Japanese visitors who have perfected the artform. Gifts, bowing... such kind people!

Like Alisande, I like to follow up the name with a little bit of info such as this is my friend Judy, we play golf together, and like you, she loves to cook. Or something like that. It helps get a conversation started when you first meet someone.

Bowing? I thought Americans don't bow to anyone but God. I have never heard otherwise.

The Japanese bow, you're not required to reciprocate. I think you're thinking along the lines of a curtsy.

The Japanese bow is not a sign of kindness or friendliness, it's the practice of a culture that is highly sensitive to status and hierarchy. As between two Japanese people, the failure to bow to the correct degree of angle (by the inferior person to show deference) would be an inexcusable and intolerable rudeness. I'n fact, that rarely happens. In the West, they bow out of habit, nothing more.

In Continental Europe, on entering a shop, one can be bombarded with enthusiastic "Hello Sir, Hello Ma'am, Good Day Sir", or some such (depending on the country). You could mistake this for being an unbounded welcome or heartfelt friendly greeting. In fact, it's the opposite, the FAILURE to do so in many countries is considered a rude arrogance and the potential customer might leave.

Since I don't have any in-person friends to introduce, this isn't an issue for me!

Jim

Gosh....here I thought all those friendly sounding greetings when visiting other countries(as well as shops/stores here) was a way of saying they wanted my business as well as their being available to assist me.

As for "introducing" people....it really does depend on the situation and circumstances. Gratefully, I learned that when I went to Germany, I was an "ambassador" (kind of) representing my country and learned that the custom there was to shake hands. Yes, "curtsy" to members of the Royal family (of any country) but for me Great Briton. Perhaps, my not having been to Japan makes me ignorant of their "common customs and manners of "bowing", but I might have learned, out of respect to that countrys' manners.

Koreans bow when being introduced, as well.

I'm afraid that I can't tell you whether it was a custom prior to the Japanese 40-year occupation ... but am assuming that it was, otherwise probably would have been discontinued when the Japanese left/were removed.

About 40 years ago I introduced a young man whose family I knew to my foreperson at work in the window factory, and he was hired.

Some time later, on the death of his father, flowers were sent from a supplier to his brother's business and the family was a bit less than pleased that none came from this young man's employer, also mine. I said that I felt that someone who was a supplier to a business operated by a family member, possibly seeking some preferment, was a bit different from the employer of another family member.

When I mentioned this to my foreperson, he replied that the company was not in the habit of sending bereavement flowers to run-of-the-mill employees ... and that the young person was not well regarded by the company at the time, which I somewhat felt shouldn't have had a bearing on the situation, if others in similar situation might have received them.

The foreperson said that, had it not been that I'd recommended him, that he'd have been let go previously, and my response to the foreperson was that my introduction was simply that, and no more. As far as I was concerned, once he was hired, he was on his own entirely and had to be dealt with according to his own record and shouldn't be dealt with differently due to my having recommended him.

ole joyful

A simple name exchange is fine.

I've made countless introductions, both in the professional arena and social. I can honestly say that I have NEVER introduced two people with only an exchange of names! I can't imagine that.

John, this is my husband Robert. Robert, this is John Smith....he's on the blank committee with me.

Dr. Blank, this is my husband Robert. He's come along to take notes.

Maggie, meet Richard! He's my neighbor with the gorgeous garden I've told you about. Richard, this is Maggie Blank....she sells organic veggies.

Mr. Blank, this is Mike Blank. He works in the sales division. Mike, this is Mr. Blank, my VP.

I'd not introduce someone as a friend unless they are, but use another type of association.

joyful, the Koreans still bow and give gifts as far as I know. Just got a beautiful gold (true gold) bookmark a couple of years ago, merely for directing someone to another floor.

I thought about it over the weekend, and I will adjust my statement. They are always friends, but maybe not my closest friend. And it's almost always reserved for when I am introducing my son. I do agree with you rhizo, I will always have something follow the name exchange, because that's just me. It seems kind of awkward not to have some connection/basis for them to meet or for me to try and find some common starting point. Totally my personality. Not a hard and fast rule.