Three gentlemen — a Brit, an American, and a Frenchman—are sitting in a lounge discussing the true meaning of the phrase savoir-faire.
The American says, "Let me give you an example. A man comes home early from work, walks into his bedroom, and catches his wife in bed with another man. He calmly closes the door, goes downstairs, and leaves the house without making a scene. That is savoir-faire."
The Brit shakes his head and says, "No, no, that is merely politeness. Real savoir-faire is if the same man walks into the bedroom, catches his wife with the other man, bows politely, and says, 'Pardon me, please continue,' before closing the door."
The Frenchman smiles, sips his cognac, and says, "Ah, mes amis, you both misunderstand the true elegance of the phrase. Imagine instead that you are a man who comes home to find a stranger in bed with your wife. You look at him, bow, and say, 'Pardon me, please continue.' And if he is actually able to continue... that is savoir-faire!