why is face so important to the chinese?

Answer 1

I guess it's because we're vain >=|

Answer 2

Face is important not only to chineese but to all races.Emotions are fundamental to all living beings.These are reflected most effectively in the face.Take the world literature.Every auther describes face as the most important part of body in the expression of emotions. How is pleasure,satisfaction, love, hatred, sarcasm, angeretc.epressed?
Face is the mirror of mind.

Answer 3

You mean pride?? Not just chinese but to western people as well. However, to the chinese people, pride gives them a sense of importance.

Answer 4

It's important to all Asian cultures and face is related to fellow feeling that one human has for another.

Even if the term "face" isn't used in western cultures it does exist in its western form of "independent pride and dignity."

Devout Christians understand the concept of face within the Biblical framework. The man Job was considered the greatest of Orientals of his time but wasn't shown "face" by his three false comforters. It was the younger man Elihu who showed him proper respect.

(A factoid you might be interested in is that only 5% of the population in Japan identify as Christian but that 30% of Koreans do. In mainland China, my guess is that less than 1% of the population identify as Christian.)

People who live in Asia might tell you that face is becoming less and less important in this modern day and age.

Answer 5

Replace the concept of face with "leaving a good impression". In any situation, regardless of sex, we all want to make a good impression. If a person makes a sour expression when we approach, we have lost face not only with that person but also any others who are present.

Answer 6

i thought i was the only one that noticed because the chinese themselves seem oblivious to it.

it wasn't always thus, but china was in complete shabbles from 1950-1970, while people outside of china were doing okay. this resulted in an extreme inferiority complex, as china used to be a great civilization. but the country was devastated under the leadership of mao. the need for face in chinese society stems from an unconscious desire to prove themselves to others, that they're doing well, too.

so while face has become overly important to the chinese today, it wasn't always thus, and the people of old china (before 1949) cared more for honesty and integrity than face.

Answer 7

i worked in china for 6 yrs, and you are right. Face is just as important as money, and they will lie to save face. I used to mock them when i realized how important face is in china..

Answer 8

Chinese are into things such as "the amazing face"

Answer 9

I think you mean pride. But think of all cultures, alot of them are proud. No one likes to be embarrassed.

Answer 10

why not - when you got nothing else then Honour becomes valuable.