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Q: Do you practice "face" in China?
"Face" is all prevalent in China and very often more important than the truth itself -- at least that has been my own observation here over the years. Are you successful in giving face? Have you ever taken face by mistake? Have you ever suffered for inadvertently taking face? For me, this is one very elusive concept.
I just tell them truth instead. I 'no ming bai' face really!
couldn't be bothered... say what ya wanna say; do what ya wanna do- let the chips fall where they may. 
I can't get face I've no shame really.
All I want to do is be polite.
I only practice "face" when and as it might benefit ME. Sorta like how they make friends over here. Otherwise I just tell it like it is....
I guess to some extent, I probably do but it is more the western concept of face rather than the Chinese concept. It is generally in business when I expect certain minimum standards to be met such as professionalism, clean, tidy and organized office etc. Whilst some may think these things to be normal (as they should be), aren't they a sort of face and image too?
I don't think the Chinese have the monopoly on face. They just attach greater relevance to it.
I once read a James Clavell novel in which one of the characters said that waigouren don't have face to lose. I've adopted that idea, if I don't have face I don't need to get into the hassles the citizens of the coastal cities seem so focused on. I say the coastal cities because in Nanning I see little or no attention on face.
vuducknudle:
You get your tips on Chinese culture from a western fiction writer? Do you also keep up on current events by reading the horoscope?
A grown adult measures a man by his actions, not his bullshit
I find the concept of face is restricting the Chinse a lot. it is holding back an entire society. Honesty and openness looses in the name of face
derek:
So have I...I tell that to my wife more often than I can remember
well i would think telling the truth or admitting you did something wrong gives you face, and pretending you did nothing wrong when people know you did wrong is just stupid and doesnt give you face
Scandinavian:
no, the whole lying or holding back the truth to save face, how is that even possible. when the truth comes out face is lost. I can see how children might try such a strategy, but grown ups, nah.
I don't worry about it, if they want they can kiss my
I carry my face always. I rarely lose or gain face, and if I do, it is only used to changes in diet and exercise.
I always keep my mindset :
GuilinRaf:
Great picture, but not very accurate.
Popeye is a "stoker", not a helmsman. Hence the large forearms.
I'd rather get head than give face...
Im glad I didnt mix that sentence up... 
Whenever I play cards I check the face value. I don't like giving face away nor gaining it. If anything I let others opt to deal out due to their overconfidence. My favorite face card is the King.
Depends on the situation, if it benefits me then of course but if I think the truth would be better then I have no problem in telling it, especially to Chinese employers who think they have power over me.
Depends on the situation, if it benefits me then of course but if I think the truth would be better then I have no problem in telling it, especially to Chinese employers who think they have power over me.
This stuff's important with friends - or they'll get p*ssed off. But I can assure you that when it comes to work, practicing face is a waste of time. What it comes down to is; you sell yourself out to make your boss look good. Then they sell you out because face doesn't apply to you because you're only a foreigner. Use it where appropriate and don't forget who you are.
