You don't know Pokemon?!

they can't be my friend if they don't know pokemon!!!

But basically, since the games where there first, I'd show them the games first, in their order. I wouldn't want someone to get to know gen 5 before gen 1 if I had a say in that, because then they might form a different opinion on it than they would when getting to know the games the "natural" way, in order, the way it's supposed to be imo at least, because I think that they would need to know about the first gen and have an opinion on that first, to be able to form a solid one on the following gens.

I'd probably show them the anime after that, by then they'd know the story (from gen 1) and that Pikachu is the mascot, etc. Since I've never really read the manga or got involved in it I wouldn't really be able to introduce that to them but I would at least mention it in case they were interested.

I've only played the games, haven't done the cards, the anime, or the manga, so I'd probably introduce them through like FR/LG, since it starts from the beginning. Then maybe jumb to Hoenn and then the DS games.

As a person who plays the video games, reads the manga and watches the anime, I'd introduce the newcomer to whichever they feel most comfortable with. When they get good enough in the video games, I'd also teach them about the competitive aspect of Pokemon.

Since the franchise is foremostly one of video games, I'd introduce them to whatever the most current main-series game is, if anything... More likely I'd explain the premise of the Pokemon world and mostly leave them to look into it themselves — if they really want into it they'll probably get doing that already. I could answer any questions and give opinions, but only would if asked.

to be honest, i haven't met anyone who hasn't heard of pokemon! they either know it at least from the anime (considered a "cartoon" sometimes because of how well it is dubbed), or the videogame.
but if i were to introduce someone to the franchise, someone who was probably living in another planet, i guess i'd have to go with introducing him/her to the games first. after all, it was the games that had me hooked to pokemon as well.

I'd start them with the games, which is exactly how I started. I wouldn't start them with Pokemon Red like I did though, I'd lend them FireRed (and possibly my GameBoy Advance since if someone doesn't know Pokemon, there is little reason for them to have a handheld Nintendo device :P) and let them have at it. They'd have to learn by themselves but if they had any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them.

The good thing about the games is that they lay out the concepts and they're easy to understand and it's interactive, so you get to be part of the fun rather than just watching it. The anime (and I assume manga, though I haven't read it so I can't speak on it with any degree of authority) compliment the games very well though, so I'd introduce them to the anime shortly after.

Tough question, namely because I don't have a social life outside the internet.

If I were to introduce someone into Pokémon, I'd start with the games first, starting off with FR/LG, then HG/SS, R/S/E, D/P/Pt, & finally, B/W. I feel that the very first generation is the best game for those that are just getting into it, as it actually does the best job out of all of them to teach them how the game is played. Once they get everything done in this one, they can proceed to the next generation, all the way to B/W.

For me, the games are where it's at - if I'm able to get someone into the anime or even the manga, that's gravy.

It all depends on what system they have really. If they have a ds, get platinum

If someone was curious about Pokemon, I would probably introduce them to the games by letting them play a little bit of the beginning of Pokemon Black or White, and get them the game if they like it. If they don't, well, I wouldn't force them. :P

Introduce them to the games, they are the core of the franchise.

For me, I'd introduce my friend to Pokemon by using the games first...I'd use the ones I have (if I have the old and new ones, I'd introduce my friend to the new ones, I guess. I started with HeartGold first, without starting from Diamond, Pearl or Platinum).

I'd probably introduce my hypothetical friend to HGSS as a gateway. It features Kanto AND Johto, has a lot of the features prevalent in the entire series, and would be less off-putting than giving them GSC directly, as that'd need a Game Boy/Advance, which my hypothetical friend probably would be less likely to have than a DS. Also, HGSS are the best games, so I might as well advocate Pokemon with the best it has to offer.