Mistakes, bloopers and a faux pas in diplomacy

25.01.2022

Each of us makes blunders, lapses or faux pas, but not all of us do it in front of cameras. The slightest protocol slip-up can distract the media’s attention from the main topic and may even have an impact on the fate of the state. Who went down in history as the enfant terrible of diplomacy? And how to deal with an embarrassing situation associated with violating the rules of the diplomatic protocol? We ask this question to Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD, Chancellor of Vistula University, economist and diplomat, who served many years as an advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland.

Greeting faux pas

Failing to recognize the person is the worst type of blunder during a welcoming ceremony. The former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had such a disqualifying slip-up before he even became the head of the government. During a multilateral meeting attended by many dignitaries, heads of states, he did not recognize Beatrix, Queen of Spain. Not only did he ask what her name was, but he even asked her what she did for living?

Sometimes the ceremonial greeting during a state visit can be difficult. The President of Colombia greeted the President of France, Charles de Gaulle, saying: “Long live Spain!” On the other hand, the former NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson, during his visit to Warsaw, said: – How beautiful this Moscow is!

Read less

Greeting faux pas

Failing to recognize the person is the worst type of blunder during a welcoming ceremony. The former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had such a disqualifying slip-up before he e…

During the highest-level state visit, after the ceremony of welcoming the heads of states, honour is paid to the guard of honour and the flag, and the guest, exceptionally, walks on the left side of the host. Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz, who made several mistakes in the presence of Chancellor Angela Merkel, did not cope with this change of sides, and the press wrote extensively about her lack of knowledge of the diplomatic protocol. Meanwhile, the Polish head of government explained: – If politics and the pursuit of this important policy depended on how a person behaves on the red carpet, the center of world politics would have to be in Hollywood. The protocol should not be underestimated, especially in greetings, because often photos of politicians who look away from themselves or make inappropriate faces are later used to illustrate the difficulties in relations between countries.

Read less

Touching or hugging is highly inappropriate

Cultural differences play an extremely important role during the greeting. The shoulder-patting gesture may be considered disregarding in some cultures. – This should be remembered especially in Asia. Among the peoples of the Far East a deep bow required – says Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD, from Vistula University. – The rule is that, when we visit Asia, we should adapt to their customs and make a deeper bow than just a nod of the head. If we meet on the international arena, we expect guests from the East to adapt to the rules of multilateral diplomacy, adds Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD. In Muslim countries, touching a woman even gently during greeting will be perceived as an insult and a violation of Islamic principles.

Read less

Touching or hugging is highly inappropriate

Cultural differences play an extremely important role during the greeting. The shoulder-patting gesture may be considered disregarding in some cultures. …

A similar rule applies in monarchies in which the king is treated as untouchable. This ban was broken by US First Lady Michelle Obama at a reception at Buckingham Palace. It is true that she hugged Queen Elizabeth II after the queen hugged her by the waist, but was highly criticized by the media.

– I remember when I came to London one of the first pieces of advice, I received regarding the diplomatic protocol was not to kiss a woman’s hand, in particular, of the queen or members of the royal family.

I broke this rule, but it was at the queen’s request – says Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD, from Vistula University.

– The queen mother asked me why I did not kiss her hand, if I am Polish? – I replied that I had been instructed that such behavior would be highly inappropriate.

To which she replied, “What kind of fool told you that, Sir?” And she stretched out her hand for me to kiss it.

The queen made the same gesture after her mother – adds Rapacki, PhD. In this case we are dealing with breaking the rules with the express consent of the monarch, however, the rules of savoir-vivre and the diplomatic protocol are broken much more often without the consent of the other party.

The true master of faux pas is George W. Bush, whose mishaps have even been called Buschism. During the G8 summit in Russia, entering the council chamber he began massaging the neck of Chancellor Angela Merkel sitting at the table. Outraged, she tried to shake off the hands of the American president. At that time, the Bild magazine wrote about a love attack on Merkel, and a discussion arose in the United States as to whether such behavior was not actually harassment.

Read less

How to save face after a faux pa?

What should we do then, when we commit a faux pas and how to get out of trouble? – In such a situation, errors must be played down. The easiest thing to do is to apologize. You have to clean up the spilt milk as soon as possible, that is, fix the situation, but you cannot publicly discuss why this milk was spilt – says Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD.

– Let me give you an example. During Lech Walesa’s visit to the British Queen, there was a party and we missed the order decorating ceremony. The next day, the tabloid press reported that President Lech Wałęsa was dissatisfied with the decoration because he did not wear the order for the dinner hosted by the queen in honor of the guests.

Read less

How to save face after a faux pa?

What should we do then, when we commit a faux pas and how to get out of trouble? – In such a situation, errors must be played down. The easiest thing to do is to a…

“I contacted a Reuters reporter and told him that the president would wear the order at the Queen’s revisit dinner.” He advised against it, because for the revisit dinner guests come in tuxedos, but we raised the rank of this meeting due to the presence of the queen and invited guests in tailcoats. The president wore the order and the queen was pleased with the raising of the dinner’ rank – adds Zdzisław Rapacki, PhD.

Blunders, mishaps and faux pas will certainly happen internationally, but the most important thing is to skillfully save your face in such a situation. As you can see, any failure can even be turned into success, but it requires skill and quick reaction. In diplomacy, it is good to know the protocol, hold your tongue and keep your hands to yourself.

Share this post

Go to browsing