Introductions
Questions & Answers, Frequently Asked Questions, and Blog

Dear Mr. Kolakaski:
The order in which they are introduced is determined by precedence
1) Rank your list by their office --- high to low.
2) When there is more than one official of the same "rank" -- order them within their category.  For elected officials ranking is by length of service in that office. These politicians WILL know their relative ranking (and it's important to them) just like when you go into a market and take a number: You know who was there when you walked in the door, and you know who came after you. You can find the date they were elected in their biographies on the state and city websites. 
3) Officials in their jurisdiction have higher precedence that those out of their jurisdiction: e.g., the mayor of a city has the highest precedence in his or her town. A state representative in his or her jurisdiction is higher than other representatives out of their jurisdictions .... etc.
Making the introductions
Even if you get tired of saying "The Honorable" over and over your elected guests will not!  Introduce each correctly ... everyone is entitled to their rank and name. So those entitled to "The Honorable" should get it. Doing so makes you knowledgeable and your organization look good. Best of all for a non-profit organization -- saying their names and titles correctly is absolutely free. The formula is:
   1) (The Honorable) + (full name)
        The Honorable Charles Kolakaski
   2) Then the position they hold
        Member of the Washington State House or Representatives for the 20th Legislative District
        or House Member for the 20th District
        or Member for the 20th District to the Washington State House of Representatives
            -- you get the idea.
        Mayor of (city)
        Council member, (city)
             -- Robert Hickey

Can I Introduce Myself as Mrs. (Last Name)?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
I think there is a rule that one never gives oneself an honorific? So by that rule I would never introduce myself as Mrs. James Barkley or Mrs. Karen Barkley or Mrs. Barkley.  But recently Carol, the daughter of a friend, addressed me as Karen, and I didn't like it. If I can't say "I am Mrs. Barkley" how can I control what others call me?
    --- Karen Barkley, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Dear Mrs. Barkley:
    Yes ... most formally you wouldn't give yourself an honorific. So don't put Mrs. in front of your name on stationery.
    But there are circumstances where you will want to determine what another person calls you ... and it's absolutely O.K. to simply say "Carol, I'd prefer you call me Mrs. Barkley."
    Sometimes we don't like to have to defend our turf, but you are exercising same option if someone calls you Mrs. Barkley and you say "Please call me Karen."
    My name is Robert, and I always introduce myself as Robert, but every once in a while some one will say "it's nice to meet you Bob" ... and just say "I prefer Robert" .. and it's done. It's my name and I am entitled to determine what I am called.
    I can think of other times when It's O.K. to introduce identify yourself with an honorific. Doctors do in their office, at the hospital, and on their answering machine to clarify who they are to patients. Or perhaps in your home to a contractor or service provider and you want to maintain formality ... and distance ... in the situation. In each case you aren't so much giving yourself an honorific as you are giving them your correct name for the situation or relationship. 
                          -- Robert Hickey

January 6, 2009
Dear Sir:
     A quick question for you… President-Elect Barack Obama will be meeting with the Speaker.  In making an introduction, I think it would be appropriate to introduce Obama to Pelosi, given that the Speaker’s current position takes precedence.  Would you agree?  Obama is not yet the President, but he is no longer Senator.  Would it be appropriate to say the following, “Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce to you Senator Obama, President-Elect of the United States.”
             --- KB on Capitol Hill


Dear KB:
Yes, the Speaker has higher precedence in the introduction, President-elect is not on precedence lists -- but "Senator" is ... and a Senator is lower than Speaker of the House.
    The wording you suggest sounds good.
    Or you could say "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect" or "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect of the United States" Since you address her by her office, maybe it's a elegant to identify him by his? She knows he's Senator Obama.
           -- Robert Hickey

Do I Introduce a Doctor as Dr. (Name)?    
   Does one introduce a doctor with the honorific “Dr.” in social situations?  When is it appropriate and inappropriate to do so?
        -- Amy K. in Montreal

Dear Amy K.:
    I wouldn't introduce a doctor as Dr. (Name) in a social introduction.
    The best form is to give first and last names in an introduction -- so both parties get complete information.
    It is also considerate to let both know what to call the other. So saying something like one of the following in a social situation seems good to me ...
       1.   Michael Updike I would like to introduce Kevin Cox.  Michael is a radiologist here in Montreal. Kevin is my neighbor and teaches Canadian history at McGill.
    This gets them started using first names. 
    Or consider this option:
       2.   Michael Updike I would like to introduce to you Kevin Cox.  Dr. Updike is a radiologist here in Montreal. Dr. Cox is my neighbor and teaches Canadian history at McGill.
    This gets them started with the more formal terms.
         -- Robert Hickey