The person making introductions decides which part of someone arrives first.

GRATITUDE

WHAT THIS MEANS

An introduction is a small act of editing. Whoever speaks first chooses which fact about a person enters the room ahead of them, and the rest of the conversation tends to organise itself around that choice. Lead with a job title and you get a professional exchange; lead with the thing they have been building in their shed and you get something warmer. The person being introduced has no say in it.

When you introduce two people this week, offer the detail that gives them somewhere to go rather than the one that sounds most impressive. And where you can, ask beforehand how somebody would like to be described.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

Which part of a friend do you mention first to strangers?

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