That being said, people with the ability to say and do the appropriate and graceful thing in these same social situations most assuredly have the advantage. These are the people who show restraint and good judgment when speaking about delicate situations in public. Savoir Faire is the man or woman with a firm handshake; a cautious, calm and appropriately friendly demeanor. This social smoothness seems to serve them well, and they are remembered for it, which of course means they can climb the social ladder--or any other ladder they desire, with ease.
Yes, my friends, we have a word for it, savoir faire, thanks to the French who, by the way, invented many of the words we use for these important social skill-and-grace matters. More on this in a moment.
Definition
Savoir faire: the ability or instinctive knowledge to behave in a correct and confident way in different situations. Used as both noun and adjective.
Origin
Savoir faire: French, savoir--to know; faire--to do (to know how to do)
Latin, sapere + facare= to know + to do
First recorded use: 1815
Examples
1. Jasmine, a savoir faire sophisticate, responded to the brutal questions posed by the reporters with tact and delicacy in light of the latest Washington scandal.
2. Lucy Hargraves mingled among the attendees at the party, many A-list guests from around the world, with her usual savoir faire, greeting them with graciousness and charm.
3. Alone in her convictions but tolerant of others, Sophia sailed through the school year with savoir faire, skillful in her dignity and good judgment for someone only thirteen years old.
Thinking about this new Power Word, savoir faire, I tried to conjure up all the famous and not-so-famous people I knew, or knew of, who might be contenders for the right of ownership. Few people came to mind in the true sense of consistent behavior and not just a one-off. The title is a demanding one, and so those who are the true savoir faire sophisticates are rare gems: Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, the screenwriter/playwright Moss Hart. There are others, of course, but then savoir faire wouldn't be a power word, would it, if all of us held this esteemed position.
Because of its power, the word savoir faire and its meaning have been adopted by cruise lines, restaurants and hotels, culinary arts, photography, tourist spots, theme parties, the perfect job interview that went without a hitch, the deal made so seamlessly, hosting the quintessentially elegant party, and French culture. What do they all have in common? Refinement, luxury, the peak of principled actions and speech. Once again the power of persuasion in marketing is about the language we use--words, metaphors, and the etiquette by which we define our behavior day by day.
No doubt the French have cornered the market on savoir faire. After all, they did invent the word, but the French may have also been the first to demand refinement throughout their culture. Take a look at this list of French words and expressions that reveal their interest in a suave facility of life:
- bon vivant--an epicurean who enjoys the good life
- coup de maître--master stroke, planned action skillfully done
- de rigueur--required or expected, especially in fashion
- déclassé--inferior social status
- élan--distinctive flair or style
- Haute Ecole--prestigious higher education
- joie de vivre--joy of life
- panache--verve, flamboyance
- par excellance--quintessential, the very best
- savoir-vivre--etiquette
- soigne--fashionable, polished
So...
Voila, mes amies! There you have it, friends. Most of us do not consider ourselves savoir faire sophisticates with worldly wise experiences and that touch of elegance. We're not perfect. We make mistakes and say the wrong things. Nevertheless, setting a goal to develop the skill and graciousness for speaking and responding adroitly to the people around us is a good beginning that deserves our attention; it comes with the promise of a better life. N'est-ce-pas? Right?
Right.
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