From the City of Vancouver Protocol Manual, created by the City of Vancouver and the Protocol Coordination Committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, to help protocol officers follow proper protocol and etiquette when dealing with dignitaries at the Games and stay within city protocol.

5.8 HOW TO “RECOVER”

Getting Through Awkward Moments

If you forget someone’s name, be honest and recover by saying (for example) “I remember our chat at the reception, but I cannot place your name at the moment.” Help the other person by introducing yourself again. In conversation, use the names of those around you. This will help those who may be meeting for the first time place names with faces.

If you have not been introduced, take the initiative and introduce yourself. Don’t ask for an introduction. Stand, extend your hand, smile and say, “Hello. I’m [name], Host Team member.” If you are introduced and others are not, take the initiative to introduce them if they are standing near you.

Embarrassing Situations

Be helpful but discreet in embarrassing situations. Try to move the individual out of hearing range of others, and quietly let them know “Your trouser zipper is open,” or “A button has come undone.”