35 Other Ways to Say ‘We Have Not Met’ (With Examples)

When introducing yourself to someone you’ve never met, it’s normal to feel a little awkward. Finding the right words to say “We Have Not Met” can make a big difference in how your message is received. Using thoughtful, empathetic, and professional alternatives in your introduction creates a warm, personal, and meaningful impression.

Showing the other person that you value the interaction through a well-phrased greeting helps set a positive tone, build a connection, and encourages further conversation. Exploring 35 different ways to say this allows you to tailor your approach to any situation, whether networking, casual, or professional. Using supportive, polished, and careful phrasing ensures your message resonates with the recipient, making them comfortable and respected.

What Does “We Have Not Met” Mean?

We Have Not Met is a polite and neutral way to acknowledge that you are being introduced to someone for the first time. It signals that you are aware of the situation and opens the door for further conversation. Using this phrase shows professionalism, thoughtfulness, and care, helping the interaction feel structured yet warm. It’s often used in professional settings, networking events, or formal communications when first addressing someone. The phrase also carries a tone of respect and encourages a positive connection.

When to Use “We Have Not Met”

You can use We Have Not Met in situations where you are introducing yourself to someone new, whether in a meeting, networking event, conference, or email. It works when you want to be professional and polite while establishing that this is your first interaction. This phrase is ideal when the context requires a neutral yet courteous tone, helping prevent awkwardness and signaling your intention to engage in meaningful communication.

Is It Professional/Polite to Say “We Have Not Met”?

Yes, saying We Have Not Met is both professional and polite. It communicates that you are aware of the social or professional context and are taking care to introduce yourself properly. Using this phrase ensures that your tone is respectful, thoughtful, and considerate, avoiding any impression of being too casual or presumptuous. It is especially useful in formal settings, emails, or first-time professional interactions where making a good impression is important.

Pros or Cons

Pros:

• Clear acknowledgment of first-time interaction
• Polite and professional tone
• Encourages further conversation
• Can be used in formal or casual settings

Cons:

• Might feel slightly rigid in very casual or informal interactions
• Overuse could seem repetitive in long introductions

We Have Not Met Synonyms:

• It’s a Pleasure to Meet You
• I Don’t Believe We’ve Met
• Allow Me to Introduce Myself
• We Haven’t Been Introduced
• I Don’t Think We’ve Met
• Pleased to Make Your Acquaintance
• It’s Great to Finally Meet You
• Happy to Meet You
• It Looks Like We Haven’t Met
• I’m Not Sure We’ve Met
• I Don’t Think We’ve Been Introduced
• May I Introduce Myself
• It Seems We Haven’t Met Before
• Allow Me to Meet You
• I Realize We Haven’t Met
• We’ve Not Been Acquainted
• It’s My First Time Meeting You
• I Haven’t Had the Pleasure of Meeting You
• We Have Yet to Meet
• I Don’t Recall Meeting You
• This Is My First Introduction to You
• I Have Not Had the Chance to Meet You
• We Haven’t Been Introduced Yet
• I Have Not Met You Before
• I Don’t Believe We’ve Been Introduced
• I haven’t had the Pleasure of meeting you
• We’ve Not Crossed Paths Before
• I’m Meeting You for the First Time
• It Appears We Haven’t Met
• I Have Not Yet Met You
• I Don’t Think We’ve Crossed Paths
• We Haven’t Met Yet
• I Have Not Met You Personally
• We Haven’t Had the Opportunity to Meet
• I Don’t Recall Us Meeting

It’s a Pleasure to Meet You

Meaning:
A polite way to acknowledge meeting someone for the first time.

Explanation:
Shows enthusiasm and warmth while introducing yourself. Ideal for formal and informal encounters.

Examples:
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about your work.”

Best Use:
Professional meetings, networking, introductions in formal settings.

Worst Use:
Casual texting with friends (can feel stiff).

Tone:
Polite, warm, professional

I Don’t Believe We’ve Met

Meaning:
A gentle way to signal that this is your first meeting.

Explanation:
Neutral and professional. Avoids assuming familiarity.

Examples:
“I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Alex from Marketing.”

Best Use:
Emails, conferences, and office introductions.

Worst Use:
Overly casual settings-it may sound formal.

Tone:
Neutral, professional, courteous

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Meaning:
Actively taking the initiative to present yourself.

Explanation:
Shows confidence and thoughtfulness in initiating contact.

Examples:
“Allow me to introduce myself; I’m Sarah, the project coordinator.”

Best Use:
Networking events, formal meetings, and presentations.

Worst Use:
When someone already knows you, it may seem redundant.

Tone:
Polite, professional, confident

We Haven’t Been Introduced

Meaning:
Indicates this is your first formal introduction.

Explanation:
Professional and concise, it sets the stage for conversation.

Examples:
“We haven’t been introduced. I’m Michael, overseeing operations here.”

Best Use:
Workplace introductions, formal events.

Worst Use:
Casual social situations may feel too formal.

Tone:
Neutral, professional

I Don’t Think We’ve Met

Meaning:
Slightly informal yet polite first-time acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Maintains professionalism without sounding stiff.

Examples:
“I don’t think we’ve met; I’m Emily from Sales.”

Best Use:
Office settings, conferences, semi-formal gatherings.

Worst Use:
Extremely formal corporate events may feel casual.

Tone:
Polite, approachable

Pleased to Make Your Acquaintance

Meaning:
A Formal and traditional way to greet someone for the first time.

Explanation:
Conveys respect, suitable for professional or ceremonial introductions.

Examples:
Pleased to make your acquaintance, I’m Dr. Harris.”

Best Use:
Formal events, official meetings, and networking with senior professionals.

Worst Use:
Informal office settings or casual social events.

Tone:
Formal, respectful

It’s Great to Finally Meet You

Meaning:
Acknowledges prior awareness but first face-to-face meeting.

Explanation:
Conveys warmth and enthusiasm while remaining professional.

Examples:
It’s great to finally meet you; I’ve heard about your work.”

Best Use:
Networking, conferences, business introductions.

Worst Use:
If you haven’t known about them beforehand, you may feel presumptuous.

Tone:
Warm, professional, friendly

Happy to Meet You

Meaning:
Friendly and approachable first-time greeting.

Explanation:
Slightly informal, works well in less rigid professional contexts.

Examples:
Hi, happy to meet you! I’m Josh from design.”

Best Use:
Creative industries, small teams, casual professional settings.

Worst Use:
Formal corporate events-it can feel too casual.

Tone:
Friendly, approachable, polite

It Looks Like We Haven’t Met

Meaning:
Casual and conversational acknowledgment of a first meeting.

Explanation:
Friendly way to break the ice while maintaining politeness.

Examples:
“It looks like we haven’t met. I’m Rachel from HR.”

Best Use:
Semi-formal or informal office introductions.

Worst Use:
Very formal meetings or ceremonial events.

Tone:
Approachable, casual, polite

I’m Not Sure We’ve Met

Meaning:
Tentative, polite way to indicate unfamiliarity.

Explanation:
Softens the introduction, avoids assuming familiarity.

Examples:
“I’m not sure we’ve met; I’m David, the new analyst.”

Best Use:
Emails, small meetings, casual introductions.

Worst Use:
Formal corporate ceremonies-it may sound uncertain.

Tone:
Polite, gentle, professional

I Don’t Think We’ve Been Introduced

Meaning:
Polite acknowledgment of a first-time meeting.

Explanation:
Professional and neutral, works well in workplace or networking settings.

Examples:
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Karen from Finance.”

Best Use:
Office introductions, professional events.

Worst Use:
Casual or social settings-it may sound stiff.

Tone:
Neutral, professional, courteous

May I Introduce Myself

Meaning:
Request permission to present yourself.

Explanation:
Shows politeness and respect, ideal for formal contexts.

Examples:
“May I introduce myself? I’m Sam, the project manager.”

Best Use:
Formal meetings, conferences, and networking.

Worst Use:
Informal introductions may feel overly formal.

Tone:
Polite, formal, respectful

It Seems We Haven’t Met Before

Meaning:
An Observational and polite way to start a conversation.

Explanation:
Friendly and professional, opens dialogue naturally.

Examples:
“It seems we haven’t met before. I’m Laura from Marketing.”

Best Use:
Business lunches, networking events, semi-formal meetings.

Worst Use:
Extremely formal or ceremonial events.

Tone:
Friendly, approachable, professional

Allow Me to Meet You

Meaning:
Shows initiative to introduce oneself.

Explanation:
Confident, polite, and thoughtful.

Examples:
“Allow me to meet you; I’m Tom from Development.”

Best Use:
Networking events, professional introductions.

Worst Use:
If the person already knows you.

Tone:
Confident, professional, polite

I Realize We Haven’t Met

Meaning:
Gentle acknowledgment of first encounter.

Explanation:
Polite and reflective, suitable for email or verbal introductions.

Examples:
“I realize we haven’t met yet. I’m Anika from HR.”

Best Use:
Office or conference introductions.

Worst Use:
Very casual situations.

Tone:
Polite, thoughtful, professional

We’ve Not Been Acquainted

Meaning:
Formal acknowledgment of unfamiliarity.

Explanation:
Suitable for traditional or formal professional settings.

Examples:
“We’ve not been acquainted. I’m Mr. Johnson from Legal.”

Best Use:
Formal meetings, official events.

Worst Use:
Informal conversations may feel stiff.

Tone:
Formal, respectful, professional

It’s My First Time Meeting You

Meaning:
Clearly states that this is your initial encounter.

Explanation:
Direct, friendly, and clear; works in semi-formal contexts.

Examples:
“It’s my first time meeting you; I’m Angela from Sales.”

Best Use:
Networking, workshops, training sessions.

Worst Use:
Very formal corporate introductions.

Tone:
Friendly, approachable, professional

I Haven’t Had the Pleasure of Meeting You

Meaning:
Polite and slightly formal.

Explanation:
Conveys warmth while acknowledging unfamiliarity.

Examples:
“I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you. I’m David, the new analyst.”

Best Use:
Professional emails, meetings, conferences.

Worst Use:
Informal settings-it may feel overly formal.

Tone:
Polite, professional, warm

We Have Yet to Meet

Meaning:
A Formal, slightly literary way to indicate a first meeting.

Explanation:
Conveys respect and thoughtfulness.

Examples:
“We have yet to meet. I’m Dr. Patel from Research.”

Best Use:
Academic, corporate, or ceremonial introductions.

Worst Use:
Casual or friendly settings.

Tone:
Formal, respectful, thoughtful

I Don’t Recall Meeting You

Meaning:
A polite way to suggest this is in the first encounter.

Explanation:
Soft, neutral phrasing that avoids awkwardness.

Examples:
“I don’t recall meeting you; I’m Linda from Operations.”

Best Use:
Professional, office, or conference settings.

Worst Use:
Social or casual gatherings.

Tone:
Neutral, polite, professional

This Is My First Introduction to You

Meaning:
Explicitly states the first meeting.

Explanation:
Clear, formal, and professional.

Examples:
“This is my first introduction to you. I’m Alex from IT.”

Best Use:
Formal office introductions, official meetings.

Worst Use:
Informal, casual situations.

Tone:
Formal, professional, clear

I Have Not Had the Chance to Meet You

Meaning:
A polite and thoughtful approach.

Explanation:
Conveys warmth and recognition.

Examples:
“I have not had the chance to meet you yet. I’m Samantha from HR.”

Best Use:
Emails, professional networking, and formal settings.

Worst Use:
Overly casual events.

Tone:
Polite, professional, warm

We Haven’t Been Introduced Yet

Meaning:
Neutral, professional acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Subtle and polite, suitable for email or verbal introduction.

Examples:
“We haven’t been introduced yet; I’m Peter from Marketing.”

Best Use:
Office meetings, conferences.

Worst Use:
Informal, casual meetings.

Tone:
Polite, professional, neutral

I Have Not Met You Before

Meaning:
Straightforward first-time acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Simple, clear, and neutral.

Examples:
“I have not met you before. I’m Rachel from Design.”

Best Use:
Professional emails or verbal introductions.

Worst Use:
Extremely formal or literary settings.

Tone:
Neutral, polite, clear

I Don’t Believe We’ve Been Introduced

Meaning:
Polite, formal acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Appropriate in the office or for professional networking.

Examples:
“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Mark from Finance.”

Best Use:
Workplace or conference introductions.

Worst Use:
Casual social contexts.

Tone:
Polite, professional

I haven’t had the Pleasure of meeting you

Meaning:
Slightly formal, polite acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Conveys warmth and interest in the introduction.

Examples:
“I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you. I’m Lisa from PR.”

Best Use:
Formal introductions, email, or networking events.

Worst Use:
Casual office meetings.

Tone:
Warm, polite, formal

We’ve Not Crossed Paths Before

Meaning:
Slightly informal, conversational phrasing.

Explanation:
Friendly and approachable, works well in semi-formal contexts.

Examples:
“We’ve not crossed paths before. I’m Jason from Logistics.”

Best Use:
Workshops, casual office interactions, and networking.

Worst Use:
Very formal corporate settings.

Tone:
Friendly, casual, polite

I’m Meeting You for the First Time

Meaning:
Direct and clear.

Explanation:
Professional yet friendly.

Examples:
“I’m meeting you for the first time; I’m Nora from Support.”

Best Use:
Professional emails, office introductions.

Worst Use:
Overly formal or literary settings.

Tone:
Neutral, clear, professional

It Appears We Haven’t Met

Meaning:
Observational, polite introduction.

Explanation:
Soft, neutral, and approachable.

Examples:
“It appears we haven’t met; I’m Kevin from Sales.”

Best Use:
Networking, conferences, and professional emails.

Worst Use:
Informal, casual settings.

Tone:
Polite, neutral, approachable

I Have Not Yet Met You

Meaning:
Formal, neutral acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Works well in professional or academic settings.

Examples:
“I have not yet met you. I’m Michelle from HR.”

Best Use:
Official introductions, formal meetings.

Worst Use:
Casual social settings.

Tone:
Formal, professional, polite

I Don’t Think We’ve Crossed Paths

Meaning:
Slightly informal, friendly first-time greeting.

Explanation:
Approachable and casual.

Examples:
“I don’t think we’ve crossed paths; I’m Daniel from Marketing.”

Best Use:
Semi-formal office or networking.

Worst Use:
Ceremonial or very formal introductions.

Tone:
Friendly, casual, polite

We Haven’t Met Yet

Meaning:
Neutral, simple, and clear first-time acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Works in most professional contexts.

Examples:
“We haven’t met yet. I’m Olivia from Finance.”

Best Use:
Offices, meetings, casual professional introductions.

Worst Use:
Extremely formal or literary events.

Tone:
Neutral, clear, professional

I Have Not Met You Personally

Meaning:
Emphasizes that prior contact hasn’t occurred in person.

Explanation:
Works in hybrid or remote professional contexts.

Examples:
I have not met you personally. I’m Samira from Marketing.”

Best Use:
Remote meetings, email introductions.

Worst Use:
Overly casual or informal in-person meetings.

Tone:
Neutral, polite, professional

We Haven’t Had the Opportunity to Meet

Meaning:
Polite and thoughtful acknowledgment of unfamiliarity.

Explanation:
Professional and courteous; adds warmth.

Examples:
We haven’t had the opportunity to meet. I’m Mark from IT.”

Best Use:
Professional emails, formal meetings.

Worst Use:
Informal social gatherings.

Tone:
Polite, professional, warm

I Don’t Recall Us Meeting

Meaning:
Slightly informal, polite acknowledgment.

Explanation:
Softens the introduction while staying courteous.

Examples:
I don’t recall us meeting; I’m Lydia from Operations.”

Best Use:
Office or networking contexts.

Worst Use:
Formal ceremonial events.

Tone:
Polite, neutral, approachable

Final Thoughts

Expressing yourself clearly when saying “We Have Not Met” can make a huge difference in building connections, whether in professional or personal settings. Choosing the right words helps convey politeness, warmth, and professionalism while establishing a friendly and approachable tone. The 35 alternatives presented offer a range of options, from formal introductions like “We Have Yet to Meet” to more casual expressions such as “We Haven’t Crossed Paths Before.” Each variation carries its own nuance, ensuring that you can adapt your phrasing based on context, relationship, and setting.

Using thoughtful alternatives not only prevents your message from sounding repetitive or impersonal, but it also shows genuine respect for the other person. A small change in wording can turn a routine introduction into a meaningful first impression. For instance, phrases like “I Haven’t Had the Pleasure of Meeting You” or “May I Introduce Myself” communicate both humility and courtesy, making your introduction memorable.

In practice, consider the environment: formal meetings require professional phrasing, casual networking can be lighter, and emails or remote communication may need slightly warmer wording to compensate for the lack of face-to-face interaction. By being mindful of tone, usage, and phrasing, you ensure that every introduction is clear, empathetic, and effective. Ultimately, mastering these alternatives allows you to create positive first impressions, foster stronger connections, and communicate with confidence across all professional and social settings.

FAQs

What does “We Have Not Met” mean?

“We Have Not Met” is a polite acknowledgment that you are encountering someone for the first time. It signals openness and respect while starting a conversation. This phrase can be adapted to formal, semi-formal, or casual settings depending on tone and context.

When should I use these alternatives?

Use alternatives when introducing yourself in professional meetings, networking events, social gatherings, or emails. Selecting the right phrase ensures your introduction is respectful, friendly, and fits the situation’s formality, making first impressions more meaningful.

Are all 35 alternatives formal?

No. Some alternatives are formal (e.g., “We Have Yet to Meet”), while others are semi-formal or casual (e.g., “We Haven’t Crossed Paths Before”). Choosing the appropriate phrase depends on the relationship, setting, and tone of your communication.

How do I make my introduction feel personal?

Add warmth and sincerity by choosing empathetic phrases like “I haven’t had the Pleasure of Meeting You”. Include your role, context, or shared interest to make your introduction feel genuine and engaging, rather than generic or routine.

Can these phrases be used in emails or remote meetings?

Yes. Many alternatives are suitable for written communication or virtual meetings. Using thoughtful wording, professional tone, and clear context ensures that even remote introductions feel personable, courteous, and effective.