face or accept debt to maintain hearer’s face and make good for the hearer. Examples: expressing thanks, acceptance of gratitude or apology, excuse, acceptance of offers, pretending unaware of H’s mistakes, committing do something unfavorable. Positive face-threatening acts Positive face is threatened when the speaker or hearer does not care about their interactor's feelings, wants, or does not want what the other wants. Positive face threatening acts can also cause damage to the speaker or the hearer. When an individual is forced to be separated from others so that their well being is treated less importantly, positive face is threatened. Damage to the hearer The following are cases in which the positive face of the hearer (the person being spoken to) is threatened. An act that expresses the speaker's negative assessment of the hearer's positive face or an element of his/her positive face. The speaker directly or indirectly indicating that he dislike some aspect of the hearer's possessions, desires, or personal attributes. Examples: disapproval, criticism, contempt or ridicule, complaints and reprimands, accusations, insults. The speaker expresses disapproval by stating or implying that the hearer is wrong, irrational, or misguided. Examples: contradictions or disagreements, challenges. An act that expresses the speaker's indifference toward the addressee's positive face. The addressee might be embarrassed for or fear the speaker. Examples: excessively emotional expressions. The speaker indicates that he doesn't have the same values or fears as the hearer Examples: disrespect, mention of topics which are inappropriate in general or in the context. The speaker indicates that he is willing to disregard the emotional well being of the hearer. Examples: belittling or boasting. The speaker increases the possibility that a face-threatening act will occur. This situation is created when a topic is brought up by the speaker that is a sensitive societal subject. Examples: topics that relate to politics, race, religion. The speaker indicates that he is indifferent to the positive face wants of the hearer. This is most often expressed in obvious non-cooperative behavior. Examples: interrupting, non sequiturs. The speaker misidentifies the hearer in an offensive or embarrassing way. This may occur either accidentally or intentionally. Generally, this refers to the misuse of address terms in relation to status, gender, or age. Example: Addressing a young woman as "ma'am" instead of "miss." Damage to the speaker The following are cases in which the positive face of the speaker (the person talking) is threatened.