Faux pas

For the web comic, see Faux Pas (web comic).

A faux pas (French: false step; pronounced foh-PAH or foh-PAHZ for plural) is a violation of accepted, although unwritten, social rules. Faux pas are very culture-specific; what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a horrible faux pas in another. For example, in English-speaking Western countries it is usually considered good manners to bring a bottle of wine when coming to someone's house for dinner. In France, however, this is considered insulting as it implies that the dinner hosts are unable to provide their own good wine.

Examples in various cultures

African Regions

• Shaking a right-handed handshake.

Arabic countries

• Displaying the soles of your feet or touching somebody with your shoes.

• Eating with your left hand. Throughout most of the Middle East the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene. Thus, the right hand should be used for eating.

Europe

• Using a bidet as a toilet, a faux pas common with first-time visitors to Europe.

Finland

• Not taking your shoes off when you enter somebody's home.

• Not finishing your food does not imply that you have had enough. It implies that food is so terrible that you couldn't eat it. Explanation and apologies should be provided in case of uneaten food.

• Being late. Generally more than five minutes past an agreed meeting time can be considered rude. It is wise to attempt to call and warn in advance if it seems you are going to be late.

France

• Bringing a bottle of wine with you when coming for a dinner in somebody's home suggests that the hosts are unable to provide their own good wine.

• Giving chrysanthemums to a host or hostess; in France, chrysanthemums are given to mourners after a death, and to give them at any other time is in bad taste.

Japan

• Not taking your shoes off when you enter somebody's home.

United Kingdom

• Not offering a cup of tea to visitors.
• Not keeping your place in line.
• Getting nearer than one meter from someone and not saying "sorry".
• Touching someone you don't know, even if they are in your way.