面子: Giving respect, saving face

UIBE, 26ºC, overcast

Earlier in the programme, our teachers introduced us to the concept of 面子 “mianzi”. Although it sounds very similar to the idea of saving face in English, our teachers insisted that there is no direct translation into English. However, the concept is powerful, and it seems to me that 面子 is very much entrenched in Chinese society. From family to education, from image to the treatment of others, 面子 is very important.

One of the most common scenarios in which we applied this 生词 new word was in the context of respecting our teachers. In China, students do not answer back to their teachers because that does not give their teachers面子. In the same way, our teachers told us that we must always give面子 to them both inside and outside the classroom. In a hierarchical way, the teachers would have to give面子 to their superiors (i.e. more senior teachers).

I fear that many students both in England and in the US have lost the meaning of “respect your elders”. Too many students are too full of themselves. As students, they believe education should be geared to them, when in fact they could learn a few things from the concept of面子.