It has been reported that Sri Lanka continues to spend vast sums of foreign exchange on importing goods that could be produced domestically with ease. This pattern raises serious concerns. It may be driven, in part, by vested interests profiting from import commissions and easy margins.

Another contributing factor could be the perceived need to cater to foreign tourists, especially in the hospitality sector.

However, this raises a troubling question: are we spending more on imports to serve tourists than we earn from their visits?

Besides food, a wide range of imported items—including building materials and hotel-related paraphernalia—are draining our foreign reserves. While tourism is touted as a major foreign exchange earner, the actual net benefit to the country remains unclear. It may enrich hotel owners and create jobs, but whether it truly strengthens our economy is debatable.

A Ratnayake

It has been reported that the government has abruptly halted the Mannar wind power project, which was to be launched by a prominent conglomerate.

This conglomerate is widely known to have close ties with the ruling party, and several of its directors currently hold positions in government-linked institutions.

Would a government that has been accused of changing its mind quite frequently, really suspend a multi-billion-rupee project simply because of objections from a small group of citizens in one corner of the country?

Is this a rare instance of the government standing up for ordinary people—or is it something else entirely?

Is it that the government decision has resulted from an internal conflict?

S K Muthukumara

At a diplomatic reception held in Vienna in the 1960s, British Foreign Minister George Brown sat in his chair enjoying a glass of wine. Then he heard the orchestra strike up a tune. When he turned round he saw a beautiful woman seated beside him. He politely asked her, “Madame, may we dance?” The lady in scarlet dress told him, “No, Mr Brown, for three reasons. First, this is a reception, not a ball. Second, even were this a ball, this would still be a state anthem and not a waltz. And third, were this a ball and not a reception and were that a waltz and not a state anthem, I would still be the Cardinal Archbishop.”

This is a well-known faux pas, a French term meaning an action or remark that causes embarrassment because it is not socially correct. Although we do not hear this phrase today, we still make socially unacceptable remarks every now and then. One day I met an old friend in Colombo who had migrated to Canada a few years ago. I said, “Good to see you again. How is your wife?” He looked at me in a serious way and asked, “Didn’t you know that she passed away a few years ago?” I felt like banging my head against a wall.

Although we dress well we have not been able to check ourselves when we speak to others. Faux pas has been defined by Pundit Michael Kinsley as the truth politicians accidentally speak. At the 1980 Democratic Convention, U.S. President Jimmy Carter extolled the virtues of former Vice President Hubert Horatio Humphrey as “Hubert Horatio Hornblower.”

Major social faux pas

Forgetting someone’s name is a major social faux pas. Sir John Kotalawala addressing an election rally turned to the organiser and asked “What’s that b ….’s name?” I met my former English teacher at a wedding ceremony after a long time. He greeted me, “Hello, Kodituwakku. How are you?” My wife asked me whether I had changed my name from Kodituwakku to Karunaratne. I told him, “Sir, I am not Kodituwakku …” Then he cut me off by saying, “Oh, it’s a faux pas.”

We meet so many people and sometimes we tend to forget their names. It is quite natural. However, when you have to introduce a friend to another person you have to remember his name. By the way, if you have to attend a function, do not go there too early or too late. They are supposed to be social blunders. Remember that we had a President who was always late for Cabinet meetings!

If you have to attend a wedding or interview, dress properly. You should not wear casual clothes for such events. There is no excuse for dressing improperly. However, if you forget someone’s name, you can ask for his name politely. A simple apology will smooth things over. You may have heard of Dr Sigmund Freud’s eponymous slip of the tongue. One day a man arrived at a railway station to buy tickets to Pittsburgh. He went to the ticket counter and asked for “Two tickets to Tittsburgh.” Sometimes people mispronounce your name. One day a wealthy socialite Mrs Stuyvesant Fish attended a fancy-dress ball in Rhode Island. At the entrance she told the butler the theme of the costume as “A Norman peasant.” Later she heard someone announcing “An enormous pheasant.”

Disrespectful and rude

If you keep on checking your mobile phone repeatedly when someone is trying to speak to you, you are committing a social faux pas. Many people view this behaviour as an indication that you are not paying attention to what another person is saying. This is something disrespectful and rude.

Sometimes we misunderstand others. One day Robert Benchley, an eminent author, while leaving a restaurant at night saw a man in uniform. The author thought that he was the doorman and asked him to call a cab. The man in uniform turned round and told him, “I happen to be a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.” “In that case,” Bentley said, “get me a battleship.”

Another example of social faux pas is excessively dominating a conversation. To avoid hogging the conversation, practise active listening. If you talk to someone, look at his face and maintain eye contact. Ask him thoughtful questions, if necessary.

Talking about women

At a party Ben and Peter were drinking and talking about women. After some time they saw two women coming down the staircase. Ben said, “That’s the woman I was in love with.” Peter said, “That’s my wife.” Ben immediately corrected himself by saying, “I mean the other woman.” “That’s my daughter,” Peter said somewhat angrily.

There are many other instances where you make blunders. One such instance is attending a birthday party empty-handed. If you are unable to decide what to give as a gift, a reasonable amount of money can be given to the birthday boy or girl.

Some women do not like to divulge their real age. Therefore do not press them to do so. On the other hand, both men and women do not like to tell you how much they earn. Such matters are extremely personal.

Intimate personal details

When you strike up a friendship with someone for the first time, make it a point not to share intimate personal details. If you do so, you will make yourself a laughing stock. Reveal your real character to close friends, if it is really necessary.

Finally, bragging is a form of faux pas. One day a young lecturer was invited to deliver a talk on the English Day at a prestigious school in Colombo. Instead of telling the students the importance of English, she started bragging about how she got a postgraduate degree at a young age. Another lecturer began his lecture by telling the audience that he had a doctorate. They do not realise that people are not interested in their academic qualifications. You are judged by your performance.

By R. S. Karunaratne ✍️
karunaratners@gmail.com