Faux Pas
FAUX PAS Meaning: 'breach of good manners, any act that compromises one's reputation,' 1670s, French, literally 'false See definitions of faux pas. French for 'False Step.' A severe social blunder or major breach in etiquette. If the faux pas in question was unintentional it oftens leads to a very awkward and uncomfortable moment. If the faux pas in question was intentional the person who intentionally committed the faux pas in question is often loathed for an appropriate period of time (or bitch slapped).
Meet the Germans
Want to fit in in Germany? Then you'd better know when to wish someone happy birthday and how to light your cigarette. Here's our guide for avoiding faux pas in Germany.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't say 'Prost' without making eye contact
Given the amount of beer and wine many Germans drink, you'd think toasting would be a simple task. Well, think again. There are some important rules while saying 'Cheers!' or 'Prost!' When clinking glasses, you must maintain eye contact and toast each person in your group. If you don't, you won't just be considered rude - according to superstition you'll risk seven years of bad sex.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Obey the red traffic man
It's a common cliché that Germans like to follow 'ze rules.' And while that might not always be true, it definitely is when it comes to the little red 'Ampelmann' - that streetlight figure telling you when to cross the street. Jaywalking is frowned upon, especially in front of children, who might copy your recklessness. Disobeying the red traffic light could make some angry Germans yell 'Halt!'
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't light your cigarette with a candle
It may seem like an easy solution. You want to light your cigarette, you don't have a lighter, but there's a candle on the table. However, this reckless move will anger any German in the room and possibly endanger a sailor! Why? It's believed that in the olden days, sailors sold matches during the winter to earn a living. So by not using a match, you'll ruin them - or worse.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Never be loud on a Sunday
You might think that Sunday is the perfect day of the week to check some things off your to-do list: mow the lawn, vacuum or get some laundry done. But beware - in Germany, Sunday is 'Ruhetag,' or 'quiet day.' Most shops are closed and neighbors will complain if your noise disturbs their day of rest.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't mess up your trash
Recycling is serious business in Germany. And proper recycling means sorting your waste correctly. So don't even think about putting plastic in the paper bin. Your neighbors will scorn you and you might even come home to an angry note from your landlord. So remember: The yellow bin is for plastic, the green (or blue) for paper, the brown for organic waste and the gray one is for everything else.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Get naked!
FKK, the 'free body culture,' is often associated with Germany. Indeed, many Germans love to strip off their clothes on an FKK beach and stroll around the way Adam and Eve did. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you look like or who you're with - at designated FKK spots and in the sauna (mixed or not), you better get naked or you'll be considered prudish.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Roses are red, white flowers are taboo
There is some complicated flower etiquette in Germany and it can be embarrassing if you don't comply with it. Red flowers - and especially red roses - should only be given to people you are romantically interested in. White flowers are considered to be graveyard accessories and are usually reserved for when someone dies. To avoid insulting someone, you'd better ask the florist for help.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't be late
Germans are known for being punctual and arriving late is considered very rude and unreliable. Even five minutes can cause outrage, so if you're running late, always call and apologize ahead of time. If you're invited to a party at 6 p.m., don't think that it's polite to give the host more time and arrive at 7. Six o'clock means six o'clock sharp.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Know when to say happy birthday
In Germany, you always celebrate your birthday on the actual day you were born and not a minute earlier. You celebrate 'into' a person’s birthday at midnight (known as 'reinfeier') - even mid-week. Saying 'happy birthday' to a German before the actual date can lead to angry stares and insults. For most Germans, a premature birthday wish means bad luck.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't ask for tap water
Germany has really great tap water, but asking for it in a restaurant will not go over well. Your waiter will get mad and refuse to bring you 'water for free.' And if you're at someone's house and you ask for tap water, your host will make sure to let you know they also have 'real water,' meaning sparkling water. After all, sparkling water is considered the real deal in Germany.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't say 'Prost' without making eye contact
Given the amount of beer and wine many Germans drink, you'd think toasting would be a simple task. Well, think again. There are some important rules while saying 'Cheers!' or 'Prost!' When clinking glasses, you must maintain eye contact and toast each person in your group. If you don't, you won't just be considered rude - according to superstition you'll risk seven years of bad sex.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Obey the red traffic man
It's a common cliché that Germans like to follow 'ze rules.' And while that might not always be true, it definitely is when it comes to the little red 'Ampelmann' - that streetlight figure telling you when to cross the street. Jaywalking is frowned upon, especially in front of children, who might copy your recklessness. Disobeying the red traffic light could make some angry Germans yell 'Halt!'
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't light your cigarette with a candle
It may seem like an easy solution. You want to light your cigarette, you don't have a lighter, but there's a candle on the table. However, this reckless move will anger any German in the room and possibly endanger a sailor! Why? It's believed that in the olden days, sailors sold matches during the winter to earn a living. So by not using a match, you'll ruin them - or worse.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Never be loud on a Sunday
You might think that Sunday is the perfect day of the week to check some things off your to-do list: mow the lawn, vacuum or get some laundry done. But beware - in Germany, Sunday is 'Ruhetag,' or 'quiet day.' Most shops are closed and neighbors will complain if your noise disturbs their day of rest.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't mess up your trash
Recycling is serious business in Germany. And proper recycling means sorting your waste correctly. So don't even think about putting plastic in the paper bin. Your neighbors will scorn you and you might even come home to an angry note from your landlord. So remember: The yellow bin is for plastic, the green (or blue) for paper, the brown for organic waste and the gray one is for everything else.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Get naked!
FKK, the 'free body culture,' is often associated with Germany. Indeed, many Germans love to strip off their clothes on an FKK beach and stroll around the way Adam and Eve did. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you look like or who you're with - at designated FKK spots and in the sauna (mixed or not), you better get naked or you'll be considered prudish.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Roses are red, white flowers are taboo
There is some complicated flower etiquette in Germany and it can be embarrassing if you don't comply with it. Red flowers - and especially red roses - should only be given to people you are romantically interested in. White flowers are considered to be graveyard accessories and are usually reserved for when someone dies. To avoid insulting someone, you'd better ask the florist for help.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't be late
Germans are known for being punctual and arriving late is considered very rude and unreliable. Even five minutes can cause outrage, so if you're running late, always call and apologize ahead of time. If you're invited to a party at 6 p.m., don't think that it's polite to give the host more time and arrive at 7. Six o'clock means six o'clock sharp.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Know when to say happy birthday
In Germany, you always celebrate your birthday on the actual day you were born and not a minute earlier. You celebrate 'into' a person’s birthday at midnight (known as 'reinfeier') - even mid-week. Saying 'happy birthday' to a German before the actual date can lead to angry stares and insults. For most Germans, a premature birthday wish means bad luck.
10 faux pas to avoid in Germany
Don't ask for tap water
Germany has really great tap water, but asking for it in a restaurant will not go over well. Your waiter will get mad and refuse to bring you 'water for free.' And if you're at someone's house and you ask for tap water, your host will make sure to let you know they also have 'real water,' meaning sparkling water. After all, sparkling water is considered the real deal in Germany.
Each country has a set of unspoken rules. Not following them could earn you a laugh, a scolding or simply a weird look. Click through the gallery above for some inside tips on German etiquette.
You'll find more from Meet the Germans on YouTube or at dw.com/MeettheGermans.
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faux pas
(make/commit) a ˌfaux ˈpas
(from French) an action or a remark that causes embarrassment because it is not socially correct: I immediately made a faux pas when I forgot to take my shoes off before I went into the house. ♢ They were kind enough to overlook my faux pas and continued as if nothing had happened.Faux Pas Prints Metairie La
Faux Pas Translation
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Faux Pas Plural
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