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Editor2018 (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{infobox | nameofpractice = Mianzi | flagemoji = 🇨🇳 | definition = Mianzi refers to the recognition of an individual’s social status and prestige by others, which can...") |
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|style="font-size:1.1em;"| The Chinese word ''mianzi'' (面子) means literally ‘face’, and it refers to the recognition of an individual’s social status and prestige by others. ''Mianzi'' can be earned, saved, borrowed, and maneuvered (Hu 1944; Hwang 1987; Kinnison 2017). As demonstrated by Goffman’s (1972) research on face-work, concern for self-image (i.e. how one is perceived by others) is a commonplace worldwide. However, in the social-cultural context of China, there are especially prominent concerns related to the practice of ''mianzi''. These concerns highlight aspects of personal relations and interactions largely ignored in non-Chinese societies (Qi 2011). | |style="font-size:1.1em;"| The Chinese word ''mianzi'' (面子) means literally ‘face’, and it refers to the recognition of an individual’s social status and prestige by others. ''Mianzi'' can be earned, saved, borrowed, and maneuvered (Hu 1944; Hwang 1987; Kinnison 2017). As demonstrated by Goffman’s (1972) research on face-work, concern for self-image (i.e. how one is perceived by others) is a commonplace worldwide. However, in the social-cultural context of China, there are especially prominent concerns related to the practice of ''mianzi''. These concerns highlight aspects of personal relations and interactions largely ignored in non-Chinese societies (Qi 2011). | ||
For Chinese people, ''mianzi'' is perceived to be not really relevant in both close relations and among complete strangers (Hwang 1987). In close relations, such as with family members, an individual tends to be more relaxed and display a more ‘authentic’ version of him or herself. Among complete strangers, interactions are often superficial and short-lived and an individual is rarely worried about what strangers think of them. Rather, ''mianzi'' is most prominent in intermediary or mixed relations, or within the ''[[guanxi]]'' ([[关系]]) network | For Chinese people, ''mianzi'' is perceived to be not really relevant in both close relations and among complete strangers (Hwang 1987). In close relations, such as with family members, an individual tends to be more relaxed and display a more ‘authentic’ version of him or herself. Among complete strangers, interactions are often superficial and short-lived and an individual is rarely worried about what strangers think of them. Rather, ''mianzi'' is most prominent in intermediary or mixed relations, or within the ''[[guanxi]]'' ([[关系]]) network. This network includes friends, colleagues, classmates, fellow villagers, neighbours, and so on. | ||
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