Face
Thos.P.Jackstraw Updated: 2004-05-27 09:32
In this culture, i certainly do think face has a purpose, that is why it is here.
I know that the value of face to some can be greater than life. For instance, in a related culture, with perhaps, relatively equal pressures to survive, and perhaps some reliable statistical measurements: we can compare Japan's suicide rate to our own!
The Chinese have a hard driving inner sense to succeed, often the pragmatic things have to take priority. The lonely self, with a real heart for its own survival knows to stay within the territory of face, I think.
To exchange face for openness, that is great potential clash, don't you think? How often have I been reprimanded for not minding protocol!
Tackle this one, my friend, you and your wife, and let us know how it goes, but don't report back until after three years!
I think you will see if she prefers something like your hopefully very calm version of the American style of hot emotional expungence (as of Italian/Irish influences, for example), or the relative outward calm of the peaceful life of face.
I would be interested to know your results, but I can't help you on it at all, I was married to the same 'Anglo' gal for all the decades of my long and only married life!
Maybe later can address the concepts of 'good deal' hunting, and loyalty.
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