FAUX PAS

A 'faux pas' (IPA , plural: ''faux pas'' ) is a violation of accepted, although unwritten, social rules. Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. For example, in English-speaking Western countries, it is sometimes considered a thoughtful gesture to bring a bottle of wine when going to someone's house for dinner. In France, however, this is considered insulting as it suggests the hosts are unable to provide their own good wine. To bring wine to the home of teetotalers might suggest ignorance, obstinance, or ill intent.

Contents

Origin of term

Examples

References

See also

Origin of term

The term comes from French and literally means "false step". However, it is a formal rather than everyday expression in French and does not generally have the figurative meaning used in English. It is occasionally employed to describe a physical loss of balance or general mistakes (for instance: ''mes faux pas dans la vie'', the mistakes I made in my life). If one uses ''faux pas'' with the English meaning in France, people might think it was a slight grammatical mistake with ''faut pas'', the colloquial pronunciation of ''il ne faut pas'', meaning ''must not'' in English. For ''faux pas'' with the English meaning, the French would usually say ''gaffe'' or ''erreur''.

Examples

For a broader list, see List of faux pas.

★ ''African regions'': A left-handed handshake. Offering and accepting things with the left hand.

★ ''Arab countries''; ''Indian Subcontinent''; ''Japan''; ''Middle East''; ''East Africa'': ''South-East Asia'': Displaying the soles of the feet or touching somebody with shoes. A left-handed handshake or passing food at the table with the left hand.

★ ''Scandinavia''; ''Central'' and ''Eastern Europe''; ''Japan''; ''China''; ''Hawaii''; ''Turkey''; ''India'': It is considered unacceptable to enter someone's household and leave your shoes on your feet. It is also considered impolite in many Canadian households, though this is by no means universal.

★ ''China'': Giving someone a timepiece as a gift. The phrase "giving a timepiece" is a homonym for burying the dead. It is also considered rude to eat first before the elders. Another faux pas at the dining table would be to eat a side dish without coming back to eating rice. This is also viewed as a faux pas in Japan as well.

★ ''Central'' and ''Eastern Europe'': Shaking hands while wearing gloves (this does not apply to women).

★ ''France'': Asking an individual their job or name directly. Offering someone a gift of chrysanthemums on an occasion other than a funeral (as chrysanthemums are generally associated with death in France).

★ ''Greece'': Showing the number ''five'' by displaying a hand with fingers spread and palm facing the recipient of the gesture is offensive. The same gesture with the palm facing the gesturer is not.

★ ''India''; ''Pakistan''; ''Bangladesh''; ''Burma'': Eating or shaking hands with the left hand, not greeting family elders at a gathering, addressing elders without salutations.

★ ''Japan'': When greeting or thanking another person, not bowing lower than an elder or a person of higher social status. Passing food from one pair of chopsticks to another is also considered rude. This is also viewed as a faux pas in other Asian countries such as China.

★ ''Korea'': Not bowing when greeting or thanking an elder or person higher in social status. Writing someone's name in red (which normally symbolizes death). Pouring a drink with one hand when serving a drink to an elder. Handing over objects to or receiving objects from an elder with one hand. Smoking in presence of an elder. Drinking alcoholic beverages in presence of an elder at the same table. (Upon the elder's permission, the person can have his or her drink facing the other way.) Eating before an elder at the same table starts to eat.

★ ''Middle East'': Addressing an elder or person higher in social status with his/her bare name. Words like uncle/aunt, (elder) brother/sister or formally Mr./Mrs. are expected to be used.

★ ''India'';''Pakistan'': Using the pronoun "''tum''" or "''too''" (you), instead of "''aap''" (formal you) when talking to an elder or a stranger. Walking with shoes on the carpet inside a house. Calling an elder or a stranger of the opposite sex with just their name.

★ ''Romania''; ''Republic of Moldova''; ''Russia''; ''Slovakia''; ''Czech Republic''; ''Croatia''; ''Hungary''; ''Serbia'';''Republic of Macedonia''; ''Poland''; ''Bulgaria''; ''Ukraine''; ''Estonia''; ''Lithuania''; ''Latvia'': Giving somebody an even number of flowers, which should only be done in funerals.

★ ''South America, Spain, and other Spanish speaking countries'': Neglecting to greet someone at a social / family gathering. Any kind of large gathering of friends or family should be started by greeting every person present, and making sure to say goodbye upon leaving. This rule is more relaxed in a group of young people. Generally these formalities are far more relaxed in Latin America than in Spain.

★ ''Thailand'': Stepping over or standing on bills or coins—they all have the face of the King, who is highly revered. Also, touching a Thai person on their head, as the head is considered a sacred part of the body. Food must be kept above the ground level. Pointing feet at someone, or touching someone with a foot is considered disrespectful and insulting.

★ ''United Kingdom'', ''Ireland'', ''Australia'', ''New Zealand'', ''South Africa'': The "V sign", made by holding the middle and index fingers up so as to form a V-shape (such as when indicating "two" of something), is considered offensive when made with the back of the hand pointed towards the listener, particularly when done so with an upward thrust. It is seen as having similar meaning to "the finger". With the hand held the other way, so the palm points towards the listener, the otherwise identical gesture is perfectly acceptable.

★ Various countries: In countries with a language that contains a T-V distinction, it is a faux pas to use the informal second person pronoun instead of the formal second person pronoun when addressing an elder or stranger.

★ ''Bangladesh'';''India''; ''Pakistan'': Stepping/sitting on paper, books, money, religious items is considered inappropriate in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

★ ''Indonesia'': Using the personal second person pronoun "kamu" or the shortened form "mu" (meaning "you"), instead of the impersonal "anda" when addressing someone you do not know.

References

★ Answers.com Faux-pas. Retrieved December 31, 2005.

See also

★ Cultural diversity

★ Etiquette in Africa

★ Etiquette in Asia

★ Etiquette in Australia and New Zealand

★ Etiquette in Canada and the United States

★ Etiquette in Europe

★ Etiquette in Latin America

★ Etiquette in the Middle East

★ Intercultural competence

★ Worldwide etiquette