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Can I read Chinese politeness is not about ‘face’: Evidence from the business world on EtoBox?

Chinese politeness is not about ‘face’: Evidence from the business world by Carl G. Hinze is a Arts and Humanities article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Chinese politeness is not about ‘face’: Evidence from the business world about?

Through reviewing the historical development of the English term face and the Chinese terms mianzi and lian, and drawing upon examples of the use of the terms mianzi and lian in the business domain in mainland China and explanations of negotiations in which the author has been personally involved, this paper argues that mianzi and lian (and by reference 'face') are not sub-concepts lying essentially at the heart of Chinese politeness, but separate concepts which, while overlapping with politeness in some instances, frequently operate in ways which are entirely removed from any accepted notions of politeness. In this way, this paper claims that concern for mianzi and lian in Chinese business interaction is just as likely to engender acts of impoliteness as it is to link with examples of politeness, and concludes that the sooner we accept the disassociation between Chinese 'face' and politeness, the more we will find ourselves better placed to understand crucial nuances of cross-cultural interaction between Chinese and non-Chinese interactants.

Who reads Chinese politeness is not about ‘face’: Evidence from the business world?

It is typically read by researchers, students, and practitioners in Arts and Humanities.

Author
Carl G. Hinze
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2012
Language
EN
Field
Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

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