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anonymous
Q: Is the concept of 'face' really that unique to Chinese?
Reading write-ups, articles and comments about the concept of 'face' the impression I get is that this is unique to Chinese and that we, foreigners, need to be familiar with it in order to interact effectively with locals. By implication, there is no concept of 'face' among us foreigners. However, I'm made to believe that this is somehow an erroneous view. In my understanding, the concept of 'face' revolves around issues to do with doing things aimed at shaming a person/ undermining their authority/ underrating their abilities/attacking their ego. When these same things are done elsewhere - Europe, US, Africa etc, don't the people on the receiving end in such societies feel embarrassed, and therefore react accordingly? As a non-Chinese, I've witnessed this concept manifest itself in numerous ways wherever I've been outside China. It is in our nature not to feel comfortable being embarrassed in the presence of others. I think it's a universal phenomenon. What, therefore, is the justification for discussing it in a special way as though it's only Chinese who cannot stand public embarrassment? Or is my interpretation of 'face' in China as nothing but issues about embarrassment/shame wrong?
No, it's not unique to the Chinese. That however is not the point with their culture and their relationship with the coveted "face". It goes much deeper than simply being embarrassed in public. When interacting with each other they are trained to never even get close to making the other guy lose face. That's where the lying comes in. "Face" for the Chinese is a very deep rooted and in my opinion, hindering part of their culture. They spend countless hours humoring and lying to each other in an attempt to give the perception that nobody ever loses face. When we tell the truth and the local has a perceived loss of face, we are looked upon as the stupid foreigner who doesn't understand Chinese culture. Maddening.
Well, sure, it exists in foreign countries in high schools and frats. It's just that by the time we reach adulthood, drinking till you puke all over yourself and having the most fashionable accessories are no longer the most important or prominent indicators of social status or the keys to success in life.
Every time I have a hard time understanding face, I think, "What if there was a country that only had seventeen year olds?" And Chinese culture becomes clear to me once again.
crimochina:
your wrong as always think what if we had a world full of 13 year olds. 17 year olds i grew up with could get along very well and had some respect for others
Every country has a concept of face, although it may used differently. However, in China, I would say it's especially prominent because it can be found in every facet of daily life. It is ingrained into the culture. You can't avoid it, even with good friends. You can't talk about China without talking about face. To really understand the people who live here, get to know them, learn how they tick, you need to have a strong grasp of the concept of face. If you choose to ignore it, or think it is unimportant, you will never have close friends, and you will never get ahead. Maybe it seems a little ridiculous at times because it is just so obvious and superficial in nature. Perhaps that is because "face" back home is built on a completely different foundation. Some things are the same, like little white lies, but a lot of it is, well...foreign.
