How to Use Guest Greeting Etiquette
Whether you're hosting a party, welcoming clients to a work function or standing in a receiving line at your wedding, learn to use proper guest greeting etiquette to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and respected. Follow these steps to stick to the basics and learn how to get out of some tricky situations.
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Instructions
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Shake hands when you meet someone new, when someone arrives at your party or if he offers his hand first. Make eye contact as you shake and keep your fingers together so you can make firm, web-to-web contact. If your hands are often sweaty, carry a tissue or handkerchief to absorb the moisture before you shake.
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Greet guests with hugs if you're at an informal gathering with friends and family. However, if your sister is introducing you to her new boyfriend, for example, opt to shake his hand instead until you get to know him better. Similarly, you should only shake hands when greeting people at a business function, regardless of how well you know them.
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Show common courtesy by standing to greet a new guest at your table if you're attending a luncheon or dinner reception. If it's too crowded to stand completely, lean in to offer your hand rather than making the new guest come to you. Modern etiquette insists that even women should rise to greet someone.
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Offer a one-line background when you introduce two people at a party. Saying something like, "Steve, this is Julia, my roommate from college" will give them a topic to discuss and also keep them from wondering how each other knows you. This is also a good practice when introducing people in a wedding receiving line.
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If a guest won't release your hand after shaking it, pretend you need to remove your hand to cover your mouth as you cough. You can also guide his hand over to the next person as you introduce them.
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Mention that you'd "love to discuss it after dinner" if you're greeting a guest who insists on having a conversation with you despite the fact that there's a line of people waiting behind him.
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