The way you look, the way you shake hands, the tones of your voice are much more important than the words you say: "How wonderful to see you!" "I'm so glad you could come." You can only be as naturally warm or glad as you are, and if you really like having guests under your roof and show it in your own way, you're good hosts. You can't fail to be.

introductions
After you've expressed your pleasure at seeing a newly-arrived guest -as quickly as possible but without making him feel you want to get rid of him-you introduce him to at least one other person. This will leave you free to greet each new guest in turn, and no guest will feel unwanted or deserted.

we do-but gracefully
Perhaps in some British circles introductions are dispensed with, but we do it, and we can learn to do it gracefully. At least start out by in­troducing each guest to at least one or two others. Sometimes it gets awkward and boring when the host or hostess brings each new pair of guests into a room and introduces them all around. Inevitably all con­versation stops. The persons being introduced feel that they are the center of attention, as indeed they are, which can be embarrassing in a gioup of strangers.

the shy ones
Sometimes, if you're introducing a shy person, it's a good idea to say, after the actual introduction, "You two have a lot in common, since you're both newspaper people," or something of the sort which gives them a topic of conversation to start on. But in general it isn't necessary to identify your guests to each other to this extent, and certainly never to give their life-histories.

forms of introduction
First, of course, one introduces a gentleman to a lady, a child to any adult, and anyone, including younger women, to an older lady. There are various phrases you can use. You can say: "Mrs. Jones, this is Mr. Smith." or: "Mrs. Jones, I'd like to have you meet Mr. Smith." You never say: "Mrs. Jones, meet Mr. Smith." Though you may hear it a good deal, it is in exceedingly bad taste. A more formal introduction is: "Mrs. Jones, may I present Mr. Smith?" You may also say: "Mrs. Jones, do you know Mr. Smith?" Even when you know perfectly well that Mrs. Jones never laid eyes on Mr. Smith before, the implication is that Mrs. Jones ought to know (and will probably enjoy) Mr. Smith. It is a useful introduction when you're not sure whether two guests have met before. Last of all, it is entirely correct simply to use the names of the people you wish to introduce: "Mrs. Jones-Mr. Smith."