Main Concept of Face: how you present yourself to others with certain characteristics and traits

-          accusing their “face” is really embarrassing because it questions their integrity

-          main reason concept of face developed was because it’s more of a norm for the Chinese to live in the same community their whole lives, compared to in US where we are a very mobile society, so  maintaining healthy relationships and avoiding conflict is very important.

-          For us, if a place doesn’t suit us or we encounter some major conflict, we just leave. For them, they don’t really see that as an option.

 

Appropriate ways to behave:

-Don’t expect a Chinese will act contrary to group norms

-Don’t insist that your hosts to respect your rights/opinions

-Don’t show anger, avoid confrontation

-If you must say no, try to do so as tactfully as possible

 

If YOU cause face-loss situation:

-Ask a trusted Chinese friend about what you should have done if you don’t know

-apologize in private

-be extra considerate of the person you offended in the future

-Sometimes they deal with minor face-loss situations by pretending it didn’t happen, so you can go along with that