By George Foster, CBC/Chairman of the Board

With election season in full swing, there will likely be a few gaffes or malaprops (at least everyone’s hoping so). It’s a common trait for all of us, me included. I’ll share some of mine shortly.

A gaffe is a clumsy social error, a faux pas or a blatant mistake or misjudgment. These are things we should have learned — not gaffes born of exhaustion or bumbling writers.

It could be something serious, like knowing never to mix ammonia and bleach. Or something trivial, like knowing which side the fork goes on in a place setting.

A malaprop is the incorrect use of a word in place of a word with a similar sound, either unintentionally or for comedic effect, resulting in a nonsensical, often humorous utterance.

An example is the statement attributed to baseball player Yogi Berra regarding switch hitters, "He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious," with the accidental use of amphibious rather than the intended ambidextrous.

Both Presidents Trump and Biden have made headlines with their gaffes so we will give each their due.

What Causes Gaffes and Malaprops?

These are things we should’ve learned – not gaffes born of exhaustion or speaking quickly. But it’s pretty much inevitable that at some point each of us will slap our forehead and think, “Why didn’t I know that?”

Often, it’s something that, if we had just stopped to think about, holding it up in the light for examination earlier, it would have made more sense.

For example, as a young sports reporter at the Waco Tribune-Herald, I wrote a story about Rafael Septién, the great placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys. I had known him from his days at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, so it was a natural.

In his debut for USL at old Tulane Stadium in 1975, he talked about his jitters kicking in the “Rice” Bowl which appeared in the story. Dave Campbell, the famous sports editor, gently reminded me that it was the “Sugar” Bowl — something that if I had checked my work or thought about it, I would have caught.

We all have misconceptions and misperceptions. On "This American Life", reporter Alex Blumberg admitted on air that it wasn’t until his 30s that he found out that Nielsen families — the TV-watching people who are monitored — were not actually all families named Nielsen.

I had a client correct one of my biggest misperceptions. I was fond of sharing my refrigerator theory story, saying that people don’t care what kind of gasket or compressor a refrigerator has (the features) but they want to know if it will keep the beer cold (the benefit).

My client said, “Well, George, you may not know that the refrigerator removes heat which keeps the beer cold.” Gotcha.

So, What Do You Do to Avoid the Unavoidable Gaffes and Malaprops?

Nowadays, you can query Google or Brave for whatever you need to know, but it’s quicker if you have the knowledge in your noggin.

The legendary writer George Plimpton confessed, “In my first remarks on the dais, I used to thank people for their ‘fulsome introduction’ until I discovered that ‘fulsome’ means offensive and insincere.”

He said, “Consult a dictionary for proper meanings and pronunciations.” Following are several more tips to avoid gaffes:

• Know your audience: Understand who you’re communicating with and tailor your message accordingly. Consider their background, values and potential biases.
• Think before you speak: Reflect on your words and consider how they might be interpreted. Avoid speaking impulsively or without thinking.
• Be aware of cultural differences: Be sensitive to cultural nuances and avoid making assumptions or stereotypes. Research and educate yourself on different cultures and customs.
• Use appropriate language: Avoid using offensive or inappropriate language. Be mindful of tone, syntax and vocabulary.
• Practice active listening: Listen to others and avoid interrupting or dominating conversations. Show that you’re engaged and interested in what others are saying.
• Be respectful: Treat others with respect and dignity, regardless of their position or background. Avoid condescending or patronizing language.\
• Learn from others’ mistakes: Study how others have handled gaffes and learn from their experiences. Use this knowledge to improve your own communication skills.
• Seek feedback: Encourage feedback and constructive criticism from others. This can help you identify areas for improvement and avoid making similar mistakes.
• Stay calm under pressure: It’s easy to make mistakes in high-pressure situations. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and think before you speak or act.

Additional Tips for Specific Situations

• Public speaking: Prepare thoroughly, practice your speech and consider rehearsing in front of a small audience before a large one.
• Social media: Be mindful of your online presence and avoid posting anything that might be misinterpreted or offensive.
• Business meetings: Respect others’ time and opinions and avoid dominating conversations or interrupting others.
• Networking events: Be genuine and authentic in your interactions and avoid making assumptions or asking inappropriate questions.

By following these tips and strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of making gaffes and improve your overall communication skills. Remember to always be mindful of your words and actions, and strive to be respectful, considerate and professional in all your interactions. Now, enjoy the debate.

One final tip, give us a call at 281-448-3435 or contact us today to get the Foster Marketing team in your corner.