Very interesting Qing Wen. The difference between western "face" and Chinese 面子 is quite remarkable when all the elements of each are weighed side by side. Nevertheless, I don't think it is inherently a Chinese "cultural" thing; as some of the discussion here has already shown, 面子 clearly means different things to different people. If I ever get to visit 中国 myself, I imagine that the very concept of 面子 will vary in its gravity, its importance and the things which define it for each social circle I come in contact with. 谢谢你! :)
Posted on: About Face! A Multi-faceted Look at 面子
March 17, 2009, 05:27 AMVery interesting Qing Wen. The difference between western "face" and Chinese 面子 is quite remarkable when all the elements of each are weighed side by side. Nevertheless, I don't think it is inherently a Chinese "cultural" thing; as some of the discussion here has already shown, 面子 clearly means different things to different people. If I ever get to visit 中国 myself, I imagine that the very concept of 面子 will vary in its gravity, its importance and the things which define it for each social circle I come in contact with. 谢谢你! :)