ChineseSociety

nullThe Chinese SocietyThe Chinese SocietyOutlineOutline1. The individual and the Community 2. The Importance of Feelings (rencheng人情) in Human Relationships 3. Guanxi 關係/ Interpersonal Relationship Web 4. The idea of “Face”面1. The Individual & the Community1. The Individual & the CommunityConfucius: humanism, a social order in this world.世俗和諧秩序 The individual and the community are closely related. ren: the highest ideal in Confucianism, through self-cultivation, a personal attainment.1. The Individual & the Community1. The Individual & the CommunityAn individual is not an isolated self ren, 仁 = 二人 (two persons) ren can only be found in human relation, within a community. 1. The Individual & the Community1. The Individual & the CommunityThe 5 basic human-relationships五倫: father/son父子, the superior/ inferior君臣, husband/wife夫妻, elderly/young長幼, Friends朋友. 3 of them = family relationship, the other 2 are extensions of the family.1.1 (Focused) Family 1.1 (Focused) Family Family is the communal system. T. Parson (sociologist), “China is a familistic community.” 以家庭為本位 In the Confucian family, father/son is the most important. 1.2. The Self of a Chinese1.2. The Self of a ChineseIndividualism is strongly suppressed by one’s family. 個體的獨立存在得不到承認. Chinese seldom consider themselves as individuals, but e.g., the father of his son, the son of his father, the brother of his siblings, the husband of his wife… In every family, there is a head. i.e, the grandfather/ father of that family. The rest of the family respect and listen to his words. In a Chinese family, the order/ structure is clear. 1.1 (Focused) Family1.1 (Focused) FamilyFilial 孝, treating your parents well, provides a predominant identity for traditional Chinese. It is a fundamental ideal. Filial has a superior status in culture Traditional Chinese are not individualistic, but within the family-based moral system. 1.1 (Focused) Family1.1 (Focused) FamilyBecause of the clear hierarchy, individuality is always suppressed. An individual’s obligation & duty: loyalty to the family, sacrifice for the family. 个人義務,責任: 捍衛家庭,為家人作犧牲. An individual’s privilege: lives within the family structure, relies on & supported by one’s family. 个人權利: 受家庭保護, 被家人支持1.2 Extended family1.2 Extended familyEven the concept of family is unclear/flexible for Chinese. Extended family: the whole village can be considered as related, i.e., an extended family. boss in a company: father of the employees King: father of the whole country Chinese: Different names for various (distant) relatives, e.g.姨媽姑姐叔伯舅父堂 表 关于同志近三年现实表现材料材料类招标技术评分表图表与交易pdf视力表打印pdf用图表说话 pdf 兄弟姊妹, compared to Western uncle/aunt Obligation/duty is partly obligated (depending on how close) & partly instrumental1.3 Instrumental Relation (strangers)1.3 Instrumental Relation (strangers)Strangers: outsiders, unrelated people, they are nobody, and the Confucian morality is not applicable for them. “We are temporarily related by instrumental relation.” Taxi driver/client; nurse/patient 人不為己,天誅地滅 Strangers: unreliable, no trust Chinese vs. Westerners: more egocentric/selfish towards unrelated people.1.4 Relationship Network个人關係網1.4 Relationship Network个人關係網An individual and the others are mutually-depending互相依賴. Except the fact that the self is related to his “family,” one can be the center to build up his other relations. Chinese love to build up relationship with other people and only after Person A has a relationship with Person B, then A knows how to deal with B. (e.g. B is the A’s classmate’s friend.) Secure & trustworthy in dealing with people with relationship2. The Importance of Feelings (renching人情) in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Feelings (renching人情) in Human Relationships2.1 The Book of Rituals/ The Book of Li, “What is feelings/ rencheng? Happiness, anger, sadness, love, hatred, desire. These seven are not learned but possessed.” 禮記: “何謂人情?喜,怒,哀,樂,愛,惡,欲.” Psychology: empathy, sympathy One should understand others’ emotional responses in all kinds of situations. i.e. knowing how to deal with other members of the community, so as to have a harmonious relationship among humans.2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human RelationshipsTraditionally, the law, the propensity of tian and rencheng are of equal importance. “世上三不過意,王法天理人情,這箇全然不顧,此身到處難容.” Chinese consider rencheng as something all human beings should have. Chinese: rencheng is of great importance, of the same status as reason理. One should act “according to rencheng and according to reason.” Some scholars point out that traditional Chinese consider rencheng is even superior than reason.2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2.2 Rencheng means resources you can give others in social transaction. E.g. in wedding/ urgent situation, give cash/present to A, then A owes me rencheng. rencheng/ social relationship: exchange between 2 persons, which explains how the society is possible. 2. The Importance of Feelings in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Feelings in Human RelationshipsThe Book of Rituals (Liji)禮記, “Received but not returned is not according to rituals/li.” 礼記: “來而不往非礼也.’ 不學礼,無以立” Confucian social theory: exchange behavior Confucian idea: ren: of 2 persons. 2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human RelationshipsThe idea of reciprocity報is universal in all culture: the duty of repaying the goodness of another is common. 有來有往,親眷不冷場 圓團來,塌餅去,人在人情在 Universal social exchange: to give施, to receive受, to repay報.2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human RelationshipsConfucian expectation: for the rencheng payer: morality of the sage-- not expecting repayment聖人道德 “施人慎勿念”, “施恩拒報” for the rencheng receiver: morality of a junzi—should repay the favor 君子道德 “受施慎勿忘”, “人有德于我,雖小不可忘也” 2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human RelationshipsExchange: economical, social Medium of exchange economic exchange: money, can easily be calculated impersonal, affective-neutrality, no rencheng involved Social exchange: “renching balance sheet” “Do not have rencheng debt” 人情緊過債 賴債不如賴人情,賴了人情難做人2.2 Rencheng Debt人情債2.2 Rencheng Debt人情債In order to avoid rencheng debt, one should repay the other by even more rencheng in the future. Rencheng > Western concept of gratitude. For a Westerner, once he repays the favor, he does not owe the giver anything. For a Chinese, even after he repays the favor, he remembers the event and keep the relationship. Thus, rencheng is not expected to be repaid in the short-run, but as a long-term investment長遠投資. The two parties are, very often, socially related by rencheng.2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Rencheng in Human Relationships2.3 Confucian morality: a harmonious community. Basic backbone: family relations, relationship among various related members; the relationship web. The network of such web: harmonious social structure. Chinese social structure: not from individual/ personal, but relationship between people/ exchange among people2. The Importance of Feelings in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Feelings in Human Relationships(Analacts 4.15) “Tsengzi says, ‘The way of the Master (Confucius) consists in doing one’s best (zhong) and in using oneself as a measure to gauge the likes and dislikes of others (shu).’” 曾子曰: “夫子之道,忠恕而已矣.” According to various interpreters: 1. Zhong忠 =“Impose on others what you desire.” 2.Shu 恕= “Do not impose on others what you do not desire.” “己之所欲, 亦施於人,是忠. 己所不欲,勿施於人,是恕.” Both zhong & shu are Confucian virtues (德de).2. The Importance of Feelings in Human Relationships2. The Importance of Feelings in Human Relationshipszhong & shu =rencheng, 推已及人 For Confucians, interpersonal relationship merely bases on commonsense/social knowledge/ everyday experience 處世接物之道 i.e. rencheng2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese Community2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese CommunityChinese morality: to know your relationship network, to know your rencheng web人情網. Rencheng, originates from Confucian virtues (zhong, shu), is external from an individual Rencheng is uniquely related to the specific socio-cultural institution. Because of rencheng, one is enclosed by all kinds of relationships, and has to upload endless duties. Duties: begins within the family, extends out…2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese Community2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese CommunityChinese distinguish 2 kinds of interpersonal relationship: 1. with special status- e.g. a father should be loving, a son should be filial孝-these persons have role requirement, duties to be fulfilled 史搢臣: “願體集”-“父慈,子孝,兄友,弟恭,縱到極盡處,只是合當如此,着不得一毫感激居功念頭.” 2. without special status- emphasis the repay and rencheng2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese Community2.1 Rencheng and its Special Features in Chinese CommunityJust like the idea of family: rencheng is also flexible, vague, and unclear. Rencheng = a relationship交情, cannot be easily repaid An example: attending a funeral/ wedding2.3 Rencheng Web2.3 Rencheng WebUniversal in all community: “duty” & “obligation” between relatives and friends Confucius community: harmony and adaptation. Rencheng (social exchange), is far more important than economic exchange. For Chinese, pure economic exchange is rare, always involves rencheng, from business partnership to shopping in the market. Once being with rencheng, you become the in-group自家人.2.3 Rencheng Web2.3 Rencheng WebSocial relationship: primary group初級團體 of special relationship, more important. Law & order: secondary group次級團體, less important Social moral: based on rencheng. Rencheng: social opinion, you have to help your “group members.” In a Chinese society, it is common that people ignore the fairness公平 and favor those with rencheng.2.3 Rencheng Web2.3 Rencheng WebFor example, as an official, one has to “help” one’s relatives, rather than strictly following law and order. One tend to fulfill request of the primary group, then the secondary group. Conflict between primary/secondary: prefer the former. 2.4 Rencheng & Economic Exchange2.4 Rencheng & Economic ExchangeEconomic exchange經濟性交換 is essential: conflict between rencheng & rationality理性 Ways of avoiding rencheng: -Local people cannot become government official in their home town. -Merchants tend to do business in other areas. 2.4 Rencheng & Economic Exchange2.4 Rencheng & Economic ExchangeTraditional village holds a market on a regular basis. Villagers (who know each other well) do small business in the market place, where highlighting the theme of “doing business, no rencheng” 好兄弟,勤算賬 史搢臣: “願體集”: “‘交財一事最難,雖至親好友,亦須明白,寧可後來相讓,不可起初含糊.俗語云: ‘先明後不爭,’至言也.” - “To discuss business issues from the very beginning.”2.5 Advice for Managing Rencheng2.5 Advice for Managing Rencheng1. Refuse to accept the gift/favor, so as to avoid rencheng debt or to refuse to build up social relationship with the “giver.” 2. To repay an “equal value” at once. This strategy tends to be more popular in more developed societies. But traditionally, this arrangement can be taken as not willing to build up an interpersonal relationship with the giver.2.5 Advice for Managing Rencheng2.5 Advice for Managing Rencheng3. Best Method: Remember the rencheng debt人情債. Wait for an appropriate opportunity to repay. To maintain a long-term relationship. 4. Receive the gift but not return, perhaps because the receiver does not have the ability to repay. Then the receiver becomes a rencheng-debtor. ** This is a subtle way to show that you do not want to have any relationship with the rencheng payer. 3. Guanxi 關係/ Inter-personal Relationship Web3. Guanxi 關係/ Inter-personal Relationship WebGuanxi is essential in a Chinese community, far more important than Western friendship友情. People are connected by guanxi. Chinese tend to distinguish people into 2 types: with guanxi (we, us), without guanxi (they, them). Ren 仁: involves 2 person, emphasizes social relations Chinese community: Non-individualistic, non-community-based, but Guanxi-based. 3. Guanxi / Relationship Web3. Guanxi / Relationship WebChinese deal with different people according to different guanxi. Using guanxi, Chinese can relate themselves with unknown people/ strangers. Guanxi, closely related to rencheng, is flexible and vague. e.g, I’m your teacher’s friend’s son. That is, your teacher is my “uncle.” We are already of guanxi.3.1 Guanxi in a Confucian Society3.1 Guanxi in a Confucian SocietyHaving guanxi with someone: a beginning, starting point. i.e. we are no longer strangers. i.e. I am now trustworthy and reliable Relationship between two parties need further development . E.g. gift-giving, visiting, banquet and other entertainment 4. “Face”面子4. “Face”面子Face: a social entity “saving face”有面子: individual dignity is attained through appropriate behavior and appreciation from the community/group. “losing face”沒面子: cannot act according to the expected behavior and others look down on you. When one is embarrassed or humiliated in the eyes of others The ‘face’ is linked with culture and other terms, such as honor and humiliation. Face is given/judged by others, not by oneself 面是人家給, 醜是自己取4. The Idea of “Face”4. The Idea of “Face”The ‘face’ concept universal, but is far more important in Asian countries I. Historical reasons: 1. Chinese society is very restricted in its geographical mobility. Consequently, face-saving behaviors take on great significance. 2. In the US, people have been mobile virtually from the earliest days of European colonization, thus, the focus is more on individuals instead on groups or collectives. 4.1 “Face”:Differences between the Chinese & the US4.1 “Face”:Differences between the Chinese & the USII. Cultural reasons: Low-context culture High-context culture null4.1.1 Low-context culture (US and Western)Verbal communication directLow-context cultureMutual understandingFreedom of the individualnull4.1.2 High-context culture (Asia, Middle East, Latin America)CollectivisticHigh-context cultureHierarchical and traditionalGroup harmony importantDislike direct confrontation4.2 Protecting “Face” among Chinese4.2 Protecting “Face” among ChineseBe deferential to those above you by virtue of age or position. Be considerate of those below you by virtue of age or position. Do not expect that a Chinese will act contrary to group norms. Do not insist that your host respect your rights or opinions. Do not in any way defy your hosts’ accepted moral standards. Do not show anger and avoid confrontations, especially openly, i.e. in front of a group. 4.2 Protecting “Face” among Chinese4.2 Protecting “Face” among ChineseIf you must say no, try to do so as tactfully as possible. If you must criticize, do so in private or, when in public, in the context of upgrading an entire working group’s performance 4.3 Dealing with “Lose Face” Situation4.3 Dealing with “Lose Face” SituationDeal with it seriously Settle the situation in complete privacy Be extremely respectful and considerate in the future To Sum-upTo Sum-upChinese and Western personality structure differs Understanding this, all parties should pay respect to those differences in culture and society When dealing with Chinese people, Westerners should pay close attention not to cause a face-loss situation