How to Make a Good First Impression in English
Tips and Tricks for Better Introductions in English
We’ve all been there. You meet someone for the first time, and suddenly your brain completely freezes. You don’t know what to say, how much to smile, or whether to shake hands or wave awkwardly.
It’s one of those moments where language, culture, and nerves all mix together, and it can feel surprisingly stressful, especially in your second language.
So in this post, we’re going to look at how to make a genuinely good first impression in English. Not by being perfect, but by sounding warm, confident, and natural.
What Really Makes a Good First Impression
First impressions happen in seconds, often before you’ve even said a word.
And the truth is, they’re rarely about grammar or vocabulary. Instead, they’re about how you make someone feel.
People tend to notice three things when they first meet you:
Your energy – Do you seem open, relaxed, and approachable?
Your tone – Do you sound calm and friendly?
Your interest – Are you genuinely curious about the other person?
When you focus on connection rather than perfection, you’ll automatically come across as more confident and likable.
And remember, even native English speakers often feel shy or awkward in first meetings; they’ve just had more practice.
Greeting and Introducing Yourself
Keep it simple and natural. You don’t need long explanations or background stories, just a friendly introduction.
Here are some great examples:
'Hi, I’m Jo. Nice to meet you.'
'Hi there. I don’t think we’ve met before, have we?'
'Lovely to meet you, I’ve heard lots about you.'
'It’s great to finally meet you in person.' (if you’ve only spoken online before)
A quick note: 'Pleased to meet you' is fine, but it can sound a little formal. 'Nice to meet you' or 'Lovely to meet you' feels warmer and more natural.
At this stage, keep things short and simple. You can always share more information once the conversation starts to flow.
How to Keep the Conversation Going
Once you’ve introduced yourself, the next challenge is to keep talking without feeling like you’re being interviewed.
The best way to do this is by asking open questions that show curiosity about the other person.
If it’s a social event, try something like:
'How do you know everyone here?'
'Have you been to one of these events before?'
'Did you have to travel far to get here?'
If it’s a work setting, you could ask:
'What’s your role on the team?'
'Have you been with the company long?'
'What kind of projects do you usually work on?'
People love being listened to; it makes them feel valued. Just be careful not to ask too many questions in a row, or it can start to feel like an interrogation.
And if you forget someone’s name (which happens to everyone), don’t panic. You can simply say:
'I’m so sorry, could you remind me of your name again?'
'I didn’t quite catch your name.'
Showing Genuine Interest
Little reactions can help you sound engaged and friendly. Try using small, natural responses like:
'Oh, that sounds interesting! How did you get into that?'
'Wow, I’ve never heard of that before, that must be a challenge!'
'I know exactly what you mean.'
These short comments keep the conversation flowing and show that you’re really listening.
And if your mind goes blank, there’s always a safe option:
'What are you up to this weekend?'
It’s friendly, easy to answer, and works in almost any situation.
Sounding Warm and Confident
Your tone, pace, and body language matter just as much as your words.
Try this:
Say 'Hi, I’m Jo. Nice to meet you' quickly and flatly.
Then say it again, but with a smile and a light, friendly tone.
The words are the same, but the feeling is completely different.
Here are a few quick tips for sounding confident:
Smile. People can hear a smile in your voice.
Keep sentences short. They sound more natural and relaxed.
Pause before replying. It shows confidence and gives you a moment to think.
Don’t apologise for your English. You’re communicating in another language; that’s impressive, not something to apologise for.
Breathe. Calm breathing helps you sound grounded and in control.
Confidence in English isn’t about speaking perfectly or quickly; it’s about being comfortable with yourself.
Body Language and Cultural Tips
In British English culture, body language tends to be fairly subtle.
Keep an open posture, avoid crossing your arms, and try to make gentle eye contact, but don’t stare.
It’s also completely normal in the UK to look away briefly during a conversation. It’s not rude; it’s actually considered polite and respectful.
You can show engagement by nodding slightly while the other person speaks, and by keeping your hands visible (not hidden in pockets).
Add a Personal Touch
Adding a small personal detail can make the conversation more memorable and human.
It doesn’t have to be deep or serious, just something light and genuine:
'I work online, so I drink far too much coffee.'
'I’m learning Mandarin at the moment, so I know how nerve-racking it feels to speak another language.'
'I’m shattered today, I took my daughter to look around a university yesterday.'
Small details like this remind people that you’re real, not just a job title or an English level.
Then you can turn the question back to them:
'Are you working from home or based in the office?'
It helps the conversation feel natural and balanced.
Practice Being Yourself
The best way to get better at introductions is to practice them out loud.
Use the voice note app on your phone and record short introductions in different situations, like meeting a new colleague, joining a class, or chatting to a friend of a friend.
Don’t memorise full sentences. Instead, rehearse being yourself. Listen back to your recordings and notice what sounds natural, and where you could pause or add a friendly phrase.
You can even practice with ChatGPT or another AI; it’s an excellent English conversation partner. I wrote a blog about using ChatGPT to practice speaking English and a full video, which I’ve posted below if you’d like to check it out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Finally, let’s look at a few mistakes people often make in first conversations:
Speaking too fast. Nerves can make us rush. Slow down, pause, and breathe.
Overusing idioms. Simple and clear is always better than complex and confusing.
Giving one-word answers. If someone asks, 'How’s your day?' don’t just say 'Fine.' Try 'Pretty good, thanks. I’ve just finished work and I’m planning a quiet evening. What about you?'
Not asking questions back. Conversations should be two-way.
Apologising for your English. There’s no need – just ask politely if you didn’t understand: 'Could you say that again, please?' or 'I didn’t quite catch that.'
The Key to a Great First Impression
If you remember just three things, make them these:
Be warm – Focus on friendliness, not perfection.
Be curious – Show interest in others.
Be yourself – That’s the version of you people remember.
You don’t need flawless grammar to make a great impression. You just need to connect.