Everyday English

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When people in the US have a company or when they’re invited to formal or informal get-togethers, they usually make a point of trying to make others feel comfortable and relaxed. On the whole, they tend to be informal.

Men shake hands, but usually only when they’re introduced. Male friends and business associates who haven’t seen each other in a while may shake hands when they say hello. Women usually don’t shake hands when being introduced to each other. When a woman and a man are introduced, shaking hands is up to the woman. Americans rarely shake hands to say good-bye, except on business occasions.

Handshaking is rather rare in Britain as well, but it is a correct thing to do on the Continent. When an Englishman passes a friend in the street he only touches his hat. He doesn’t shake hands when he stops to talk.

At parties, interviews and other formal and informal situations you meet people you haven’t met before and have to introduce yourself to them, or they introduce themselves to you. You also have to introduce people you already know to one another.

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