to ask if people still introduce people to each other?

[bringincrazyback]

First-world dilemma, I know, but I'm genuinely unsure. Context is that I run a small interest-based social club and we've had a few new joiners lately. I don't want them to feel 'outside' of things, so to speak, and I have some bad memories of joining social clubs myself in the past and just being left out on the fringes, which is possibly making me overthink this.

Basically I always introduce people (on both sides), but in some cases it seems to be meeting with a bit of puzzlement. I'm wondering if (a) the times have changed (I'm in my mid-50s) and no one does this any more, and/or (b) as they're grown adults I should be leaving it to them to introduce themselves. But I would then worry that the new people didn't feel welcome! (Again, my own past experiences might be feeding into this.)

YABU = they're adults, let them introduce themselves to each other
YANBU = introducing new people to each other is a nice thing to do

YANBU!

I've been put off joining clubs before because I've been worried about this exact situation, I'd love to join and be introduced to people. It'd mean I'd definitely come back! (I'm under 30 for what it's worth so don't think it's an age thing!)

I’m 27, I have a few friends dottered here and there but no particular social circle.
If I’ve ever been in a situation (say my birthday) where 1 friend or multiple friends and family members don’t know each other I will introduce them.
I do a craft group and walking group with a charity and the organiser always introduces any new comers however, when I was new, because there is no “come every week or your out” i ended up being introduced to the same person about 3 times within the first 3 months 😂 wasn’t maybe a situation like that?

I would, trying to mention something they might find to chat about eg this is Elliott, he has chickens too! Or this Kate, we met at orchestra. Sounds a bit cringy but I would want people to at least feel welcome.

I always do. Why wouldn't you?

If your club has a WhatsApp group, people’s names and profile photos often appear there automatically. That way the newbies can put a name to a face.

But yes, I still introduce people even casually like saying: “ Oh, here comes my sister. Belinda, do you know Mark? He’s in my chess club.” I’m 55.

I do! I feel like Bridget jones doing it, but I still do it…

Perpetua: Anyone going to introduce me? Bridget: Ah, introduce people with thoughtful details. Perpetua, this is Mark Darcy. Mark's a prematurely middle-aged prick with a cruel-raced ex-wife.

I’d think it extremely rude not to introduce people who don’t know each other but I have noticed young people about 21(ish) tend not to introduce unless they all end up taking for a while. I think a lot of that is because they’re all on each other’s social networks long before they meet in person so are usually aware of each other and friends groups.

I'm very much looking forward to introducing some new colleagues tomorrow. One is called Fred and one is called Martin. The person I'm introducing them to is called Fred Martin 😁

Not their real names of course but you get the gist.

possibly outs self...

I always introduce people, but I don't think younger people do (I'm in my 40's). When I was having a scan last year the sonographer introduced herself and the nurse, so I introduced DH, apparently I was the first woman all day to do so!

I always introduce people, otherwise, they'd just be standing around like lemons.

A friends new girlfriend once introduced herself to me by shoving her engagement ring in my face and announcing "we're engaged."
Friend then stepped in and said "er, this is my fiancé, Lucy."

Bet their faces will be a picture! 😁

Good to know introducing people is still a 'thing' for other people too. I think half tomorrow's meetup is likely to consist of introductions actually... we have 2 recent newbies who haven't met everyone in the group yet, then on top of that I'm expecting 2 more 'new newbies', who won't have met any of the others at all! 😂

@MrszClaus IKWYM! I know from experience there's nothing worse than getting 'who are you?' type vibes as a new joiner because no one's bothered to make introductions. I once had an awful experience as a new member of a so-called social club... I'd called the new member secretary beforehand and she was really friendly, I thought it boded well for the group as a whole. Not so much. Once I got there the new member sec's attitude couldn't have been any different, kind of a 'I'm here to catch up with my friends so don't expect to hang off my apron strings all night'... which I had no interest in doing it all, but I did expect a bit of introduction to people to help me break the ice! They turned out to be less 'club' and more 'clique', with newbies left to sink or swim... suffice it to say I didn't stick around for long.

I also just remembered something that happened when DH and I were out with a couple of my friends and they'd brought along (unplanned) some of their friends who DH and I didn't know. These particular friends never bothered introducing people at any social occasion, so we just got on with making conversation, but I remember at one point someone asked my DH 'Who are you?' in quite a rude tone of voice. She was a bit drunk, but we were still a bit taken aback.😟I suppose we could have introduced ourselves, but it felt too formal for the kind of evening we were having (hanging out at a pub).

Yes, please introduce the newbies. I'm always very grateful for anything people do that helps break the ice. It's hard joining a group where everyone already knows each other. You and your group sound absolutely lovely trying to think of how to make the newbies feel more comfortable and welcome. 😊

I attended a new group situation today and when the rganiser welcomed me he introduced me to one or two people. Then as time passed they introduced me to others. I was delighted to be introduced otherwise l probably wouldn't have gone back as would have felt like a complete outsider. Introducing is great!!

The thread title made me immediately think of the Bridget Jones quote posted upthread.

But yes. If I can remember people's names I introduce them.

Has to be done 😉

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