The Face

The face, in its figurative speech, is very important to Chinese. I was once told by my local partner to teach my foreign friend about this particular Chinese culture: “you are a Chinese and you should know “face” is an important part of Chinese culture. He was making me lose face.” He shouted.

Understandably, there was conflict between my this foreign friend and my this local partner, and my local partner was trying to defend his weak position by resorting to the “face” Chinese culture.

I have no respect for this face thing in Chinese culture, and sadly this face culture can be easily detected in the nowaday China. Just see how the rich spend their money and deliberately make others know that they are rich and hence they have power and status.  

They splash a stack of cash on the table in order to pay the bill in the restaurant; they easily find faults with those serving in the restaurants or clubs, and shout and blame; they drive recklessly in posh cars and never stop in front of the zebra crossing to let the big crowd of pedetrians pass.

I admire those going to great strengths for the dignity of life, but not those wanting to save their faces.

Rising to be an economic powerhouse, will China one day return to its once glorious culture and civilization?