面子 the face
face [feys]noun; [lat. facies «shape, aspect, face», close to facĕre «to do»] 1. the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin 2. outward appearance, good reputation, dignity, prestige: “They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face”
mian é?˘
face; personal esteem; countenance; surface; side
lian 臉
face; countenance; respect; reputation; prestige
yan � face; prestige; reputation; honor
Chinese dictionaries include 98 forms, e.g., sipo lian 撕破臉 (lit. “rip up face”) “have no consideration for someone’s feelings”. The most of the chinese lexicon words mean “losing face” and “saving face”. English dictionaries include 5 forms, e.g., lose face (borrowed from Chinese diulian 丟臉 “lose face”). English has more for “saving face”.
é?˘ĺ? the interviews the face
The questions are made to discover: _face concept in relation to your own _face concept in relation to the others _face dynamics considering respect for yourself and the others
questions
1. which is the most important part of your body? 2. what is the face? 3. how important is the face? 4. how can you lose your face? 5. what will you do if you lose your face? 6. if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think? 7. what would you do to gain or to save face?
chinese culture
western culture
Crystal With my friends, I don’t care so much about keeping my face. But with people that I just know I will care about it. which is the most important part of your body? what is the face? how important is the face? how can you lose your face?
what will you do if you lose your face? if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think? what would you do to gain or to save face?
The head, because in the head I have my brain and it is the part of my body that I have to use every day as well I think my mouth, because I can talk with it. Is the impression that you transmit to other people and you image they will have about you. It is really important. If I am with my friends I don’t care so much about keeping my face. But if I just met them I will care about my image and reputation. We are culturally reserved. We were told not to express our feelings in front other… We love keep distance. Our ancestors always told us to do it like that so we learn it and even if we don’t like it we will keep it. I would try to make up for it. Try to replace my bad action for one good one. I will feel that she/he doesn’t respect me. It is an insult for me. I would try to recover it, I would even lie if it is necessary. My parents will know what and how to do to recover it. They will tell me as well how I have to react next time but I don’t think they will punish me.
Wang Yan We are in a society, we are part of a group, this means that you have to be accepted by the group itself
which is the most important part of your body? what is the face? how important is the face? how can you lose your face?
what will you do if you lose your face? if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think? what would you do to gain or to save face?
My eyes. The way the other look up to me. At 80%. We are in a society, we are part of a group, this means that you have to be accepted by the group itself. If someone refuses me directly in front of the others. If my boss ask me to do something that I’m not able to do. I fill very sad and I try to be better in the future. No. I try to to my best in my job and to improve every day of my life.
chinese culture
western culture
Luo Lan We say we understand if you are a good person by looking your face because we can see your heart from your eyes.
which is the most important part of your body? what is the face?
how important is the face? how can you lose your face? what will you do if you lose your face? if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think? what would you do to gain or to save face?
My foot. It says the foot controls your health and life length. It is not only the apparence, but even feelings, thinking, heart. We say we understand if you are a good person by looking your face because we can see your heart from your eyes. As important as foot. Doing stupid things. Breaking rules without knowing. Not being able to deliver project on time. Maybe find a hole. Usually chinese people say they will find a gap in floor and hide out. Anyway I think it is good to lose face, cause when you getting old, your face get thicker. Kidding... Kick you! Be nice, be beauty, be moral, be success.
Luo Lin We say we understand if you are a good person by looking your face because we can see your heart from your eyes.
which is the most important part of your body? what is the face?
My legs. It is a kind of pride (But not pride itself)
how important is the face?
For the issues related to principle, I’ll defend my “face”... For others, it is not that important I think.
how can you lose your face?
Maybe when I say something in a very important “meeting” (but not that official), but someone else keeps against me.
what will you do if you lose your face? if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think? what would you do to gain or to save face?
Might put more evidence to support my point. But usually, I don’t care. In the ancient China it’s a humiliation... Even now...well, except for the occasion when people are playing dice and move game. Well...another question I have never considered...
chinese culture
western culture
Luo Lan Jill It isI can the lose worstit thing from times that can to happen: times, if you no need lose ittobecause save it. I you can couldn’t build a new be able one every to do something in fronttime of others I want! it is a matter of concern. which is the most important part of your body? what is the face? how important is the face? how can you lose your face?
what will you do if you lose your face?
My smile . I think it is something that shows your emotions and how you feel deep inside. But it also makes you be judged by other people who doesn’t even know you. It is very important because you own one face. So make it a good one! When you lose yourself, your soul. It is not a matter of losing in front of other, but it is a personal matter. Reset myself and try to understand who i am again and move forward.
if I ask you to cross between someone else’s legs, what do you think?
I’ll just cross (if that person is not older)... hmm..I don’t really get the question!
what would you do to gain or to save face?
I’ll just be myself, not trying to make a face, neither to gain or to save it. I can lose it from times to times, no need to save it. I can build a new one every time I want!
Jennie Personally I don’t care that much about losing face. I will try to get over it and move on.
which is the most important part of your body? The eyes. what is the face? In my opinion it’s more about the feelings that can’t be hurt. A reputation or public imagine that Chinese people try to maintain. how important is the face? It’s less important for me now than before (as personally I am getting more and more westernized) . However it’s deeply rooted in Chinese culture. how can you lose your face? Personally I don’t care that much. I will try to get over it and move on, haha. But Chinese might need to make a couple of more excuses (or lies) to cover it. what will you do if you lose your face? I will probably give a self-mockery and an awkward laugh. But like I said some other people might take further actions to “turn things right”.
conclusions
chinese culture
western culture
face
what will people think?
public life
private life
job, success, self-realisation
love, sex, nightlife
thank you