Learning How to Say Hello in Thai Is Easy! For example, In China’s hierarchy-focused community, your respect will be determined by your status in relation to another person’s status. Therefore, it is important for the foreigners who wish to work in China to invest time in learning the concept of face, how it will affect their businesses or job positions, and how they can save face. “Li” signifies etiquette and refers to behaving appropriately in any given situation. One of his key theories was his view on the concept of harmony. And when you take away somebody’s face you take away someone’s fundamental sense of security.”. As China and America have increased their trade relationship, the demand for people from both countries to speak the other's language has increased. 6. There I was rambling, assuming nobody understood what I was saying. How is Elon Musk the most badass CEO in the world? In order to build up harmonious relationships between the people of a society, Confucius developed three important ideas to achieve harmony: “Li”, “Ren “and “Yi”. What many travelers lament as “culture shock” may simply be a misunderstanding of how the concept of face prevails in Asia. Raising your voice with someone in public is strictly frowned upon. Don't stuff them into your back pocket! I tried to offer an explanation that incorporated elements of what he'd said as a means of saving his face after such an awkward presentation. Resist a little, but eventually allow them to pay. There was no time to recover from jet lag. I could've just explained the value of maintaining a strict diet for hockey that excluded so much alcohol. Therefore it is important to execute surface harmony “the art of maintaining composure” as well as staying calm and polite even when bad news has to be delivered (Chinese Hour). This can be seen when regarding the Chinese society with its 56 ethnic group, living united and peacefully together. Humility is regarded as a highly honorable trait in Asia. When its time to pay the bill, go to the cashier with the others, pull out the money fast and thrust it into the cashiers area fast. Living in harmony can furthermore improve relationships, stabilize a nation and help to conduct business successfully. Harmony in Business They over-charge your for services or souvenirs. For instance, if you ask for something unavailable on the menu, you may be told “maybe tomorrow” instead of them admitting they can’t provide what you want. And when it comes to Westerners, there is a historic aspect to the Chinese concern about face, said Saul Gitlin of Kang & Lee Advertising. This lesson was learned the hard way. Saving face or "building face" raises their self worth—obviously a better outcome for everyone. 5. How the Concept of Face Will Affect Your Travels in Asia, One famous quote of many by American civil rights activist Maya Angelou goes: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.". “That may sound fairly intuitive, but it is related to the very recent 200-year history in China, up through the middle part of last century, when Western businesspeople clearly had the upper hand commercially and politically in China,” he explained. Face has more meanings within the context of Chinese culture. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. As harmony is based on loyalty and justice one should never do anything to others one would not want to experience oneself either. "All things under the sun will flourish when harmony prevails." This makes them earn more respect, and it may help you in the long run by making them your ally. When negotiating prices in Asia, be a little flexible on your final price. Optionally, you could praise their business and promise to refer other travelers to them. The more you understand the Chinese culture, the easier it becomes for you to grasp the face concept. I was terrified of making a cultural faux pas like I felt I had done in China. Harmony can be described better when looking at its historical background: the philosophical approaches of Confucianism and Taoism. It’s amazing how deeply that touches human beings of all cultures. The main aspect is the skill of saving someone’s face. 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This is an excerpt from a series of iPhone applications created by the International Herald Tribune to explain the culture and etiquette of major business centers. From interactions in Tokyo board rooms to market transactions in the smallest villages in rural China, the concepts of saving face and losing face guide daily life in Asia. Harmony, which can be defined as “a situation of peace, happiness, and agreement” (Definitions), therefore played a major role in the earlier days. ©2015-2020 LaowaiCareer. Historical Symbols of Harmony You should be more concerned about how they feel after the sale is completed. To find out more about cookies or to manage the usage of cookies, please read our privacy policy: Shanghai University “If you end up with a Charlie Brown situation, with the entire class ha-ha-ing, that’s a disaster, and people will loathe you for it.”, Christine Lu, chief executive of Affinity China, a luxury venture group, said, “If you understand that dealing with people in China is all about face — giving face, getting face, saving face and not letting that person lose face — then you’re all covered.”. Finally “Yi”, meaning strength and justice, helps a person to recognize the difference between bad and good things. That being said, if you don’t feel challenged during your travels, you’re doing something wrong. Saving face is particularly common in China, Japan and Korea. Related Concepts: Office Politics: Business Culture This is the complete list … During that trip, I spent 12 days working with 10 of them on the ice twice a day, as well as official meetings and meals. Work Hours: two days off per week, 36, Student group: age 2 to 12 He once claimed that “in carrying out rites, it is harmony that is prized” (Chinese Hour). “It is a fact that the Communist system created an equal playing field for men and women, much more so than elsewhere in Asia and even more equal than in the United States.”, Working mothers are the norm in China, she said. In order to obtain harmony in any situation, feelings like mourning, discomfort and dissatisfaction are not openly expressed. - Publication as eBook and book I read a few books on Indian culture, business norms, the history of India, Tibet and Kashmir - as much as I could. I also needed to understand that complaining in Asia is not the same as complaining in America, especially New York, where it is almost perceived as authenticity. Show extra respect by deferring to all elders and people of rank, title, or uniform. Learn the Chinese culture If she’s the president of the company, all the better,” Ms. Lett said. Get yourself into a difficult situation, make the most of it and get yourself out of it. Those philosophies and the main symbols will both be explained in the next paragraphs. Turning down an invitation with an outright no (instead, they usually say “maybe”, “yes, maybe”, “we’ll do our best”, ” let’s think/talk about it later,” or “I need to discuss it with so-and so first”). This will not only help you save face at the workplace but also give you an easy time while interacting with the Chinese. Unfortunately, it was after my trip when I returned to New York and I promised myself not to make that same mistake again. And then an opportunity presented itself two years later with a similarly unique project – this time, to India. “In fact, there is huge pressure on mothers to go back to work in order to help the extended family. I used to consider myself a tourist, these days I like to consider myself a traveller. My first trip to India was something I organized on a whim in efforts to help make a difference in a remote part of the world, but it was also something I was drawn to. Bending the truth seems common in China, however, pointing out that someone is lying or embellishing details will definitely cause them to lose face. Posted by Yuri Khlystov | Jun 6, 2016 | Business and Innovation | 0 |. There were few details I knew in advance. As a result, I was able to just go with the flow, which allowed me to truly savor the experience. Adam Sherlip is the Executive Director The Hockey Foundation. 7. Allow your host to pay for dinner when they offer. Travelling responsibly is not always about learning a culture and how to interact better, but for me, it’s the most important component as it affects how I approach my work. It was also an experience that left me wondering how I could have prepared and behaved differently. “It’s like a social bank account. Understanding the concept of face not only builds better relationships, it can save you money. Important meetings get preceded with hours of trust-building interaction and small talk—perhaps even drinks—before taking care of actual business. Giving face is about shifting the spotlight away from yourself, even when you may deserve the credit. In China, the most important one is the harmony between people, especially the family. Harmony is all about finding the right balance in different situations in order to obtain peace and happiness (China Human Rights). Location： The culture of saving face takes form in everyday interactions, from a formal board meeting to bargaining for a bundle of vegetables in the market. It wasn't until my return to New York that I learned about some of the cultural norms. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. 4.2 Lose Face The face concept plays a significant role in intra and inter-company communication development and in maintaining business relationships, and the business negotiations. • School type: Work in China Without a Degree – Yes it’s P... How to Start a Career in Writing with 98% Success! LaowaiCareer is owned and operated by 北京复华中兴国际人力资源有限公司. Sending the food back immediately without at least complimenting the chef on the speed or presentation of the errant dish will cause him to lose face in the kitchen. 3.2.2 Yīn and Yáng, 4. “And I did grow up in a very Chinese household, so I do have an understanding of Chinese culture.”, But “it can work against you sometimes in a different situation, where you’re never fully Chinese,” she adds. Openly criticizing, challenging, disagreeing with, or denying someone. Turn the attention away from yourself. Doing so allows you a quick peek behind the curtain of the local culture. If you give to people in need or leave gratuity, do so discreetly. Harmony has many different meanings. As a responsible traveler, you have to make a choice – support the struggling local businesses who desperately need your rupees for survival, or support the ban on staying within the Fort's walls to help curb deterioration. With a little practice, you'll be able to spot the interplay of face in simple interactions that happen throughout a day: Use this Ultimate Guide for Planning Your Trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Your Trip to Shanghai: The Complete Guide, Follow These Japanese Business Etiquette Tips for Better Success, Etiquette Guide for Gratuity in China and Why You Don't Want to Tip, 10 Things in Asia That Will Really Raise Your Blood Pressure.