The Gift of Dignity: On the Interactional Significance of Face-giving Techniques

Grażyna OSIKA

Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 2A, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe the ways in which dignity assumptions are implemented during interactions. The research question posed concerned possible interpersonal consequences of the unconditional application of dignity principles. From an analytical point of view, the categories of face and face-giving techniques were considered as the basis for practices that enable an analysis of dignity in the interactional dimension. Possible benefits associated with the widespread implementation of such practices into social life were pointed out; this aspect of the research may also be of an applied nature. An attempt to capture the interactional dimension of dignity, thus extending the research area, should be considered the most significant achievement of the present work.

Keywords:

dignity, face, facework, dignity obligation, the principle of unconditional constructiveness