contretemps

Innocently hang a flag the wrong way — or hang the wrong flag — and what was supposed to be a celebration can become a diplomatic contretemps.

When Mr. Wicker and some colleagues threatened to resign, Mr. Sulzberger withdrew the proposed appointment, and the widely publicized contretemps ended with bruised feelings all around.

It’s enough to make an artistic director throw up a white flag, though Sachs’ decision to retire had nothing to do with this latest contretemps.

Beyond that contretemps, there is a second possible dispute that may be headed to the court of appeals shortly.

A Newsom spokesman directed a reporter to the governor’s comments to Fox 11 TV in Los Angeles about the tree lighting contretemps.