Why is it considered a faux pas to write in red pen?

Answer 1

At my place of employment, it's for two reasons: a) red is used for making proofreaders marks on hard copy documents; and b) red ink doesn't photocopy well.

Answer 2

There are many reasons, particularly for business matters.

1) Any document that might need to be copied, will be more difficult to copy or machine read. Even for people, red text is slightly more difficult to read than black or dark blue text.

2) Red pen from an accounting standpoint is used to indicate expenses, or company losses. If a company is "In the Red", it means that the "bottom line", i.e. the amount of money the company earned or lost, is in Red - indicating a loss.

3) Red is also the color of correction. If you are writing notes, and someone reviews your work, they should make corrections in red. Writing notes in red demands your reviewer make their comments in black, which again, doesn't stand out as much, making the whole work more difficult to read.

4) On a personal level, it is more difficult to read, therefore shows a lack of preparation or respect to the reader. It also bears a feeling of anger or aggression that a dark blue pen doesn't generate.

Answer 3

Well now that depends on where you live. Red in Chinese is considered the color of good luck so writing in red is A-OK. In our society red writing is typically used for correcting something that is done wrong. Thus, it is not an appropriate color to use in writing outside of this area.

Answer 4

Red Pens or pencils are used for editing mistakes. In most businesses, black or blue ink is correct. Red pens don't copy well or fax. So. I guess it is rude to use them.

Answer 5

It is hard on the eyes to read larges amounts of red ink.
Also, traditionally, red ink is used sparingly to grade papers or do your business accounts. It is supposed to stand out against darker ink and not to be used all the time.

Answer 6

Menstruation? Are you kidding? I don't write in red pen because my teachers would never let me do it--they corrected papers in red pen and it was too hard to see the corrections in a sea of red. But if you wanna be bloody about it, that's your thang. Menstruation! Come *on*! You gotta be joking. Please, be joking?

Answer 7

i'm a Piscean and they are dreamers :) "Pisces is the perfect of the water indications and in reality is the perfect signal of the total zodiac. For some astrologers that makes us the sensible previous souls of the zodiac. Pisces are the dreamers and artists of the zodiac. hardship-free for his or her delicate, intuitive and emotional natures, Pisces are frequently empathic or maybe psychic. Giving and selfless to a fault, Pisces regularly develop into martyrs without even understanding it."

Answer 8

Because if you're dealing with a corporation, copies are better made when signatures and notes are in black not red. That and also, psychologically, it remind's people of school.

Answer 9

I think people are creatures of habit. There are certain legal documents that require black or blue ink and I think people have carried this over to other documents. I like hot pink ink.

Answer 10

Traditionally, red ink denotes correcting errors, and implies that you have authority to do so. Personally, I like it and anyone who is offended can bite me.