Face and Politeness Theories Communication Context Interpersonal and Intercultural Questions It Addresses in Our Every Day Lives

Table 10.1 Examples of Face-Threatening Acts* 

 
Actions by others 
 
Actions we take that 

 
that threaten our face 
threaten our own face 
Threatens 
Complaints and insults 
Apologies and confessions 
Positive Face
Criticisms or Disapproval 
Accepting a compliment 
Disagreeing 
Misunderstanding/Requesting clarification 
Asking for clarification 
Unintended emotional action (laugh) 
Evaluations 
Unintended physical action (burp) 

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Threatens 
Orders and requests
Accepting an offer 
Negative Face
Advice and suggestions 
Accepting thanks
Threats and warnings
Making a promise or offer 
Reminders 
Behavior that threatens a relationship 
Calling in a debt 
Do an unrequested favor 
*Some examples from Brown and Levinson (1987) 
Use the examples in Table 10.1 to identify some recent instances where your face was 
threatened. What was your response? Were you able to maintain or restore your face? What kind 
of factors influence the degree to which any given act was threatening to you (such as who the 
person was, where it occurred, or how important it was to your face)? In which acts did you 
engage that threatened another person’s face? How did they respond? 
Recognize that despite the list of typical sources of face-threat, there are several variables 
which affect the degree of threat and even whether a given act is a threat. If you see yourself as 
clumsy (that’s a face you even present), tripping on a sidewalk crack might not be a face-
threatening act to you—it doesn’t challenge the face you’re presenting. However, a person with a 
face that is graceful, coordinated, and agile might be very embarrassed by tripping—a threat to 
their positive face. Factors that influence the degree of threat include how directly your face is 
challenged, the relationship you have with the person who threatens your face (for example, 
roles, power differences, level of attraction, or level of dependence), the importance of creating 
or maintaining a particular face, the culture, and the demands and expectations associated with 
the situation. How we and our partners manage threats to face reflects the process labeled 
facework.