Mindset & Behaviour of the Chinese

Mianzi (面子), otherwise known as face, concerns an individual’s reputation which is delineated by approved social attributes and places emphasis on the collective supremacy of honour. Guanxi (关系), otherwise known as relationships, highlights the crucial social network cultivated through tacit mutual obligations and respect. 

Mianzi is the concept of a competent person in the Chinese society where one is communally conscious in prevention of losing one and others’ face. To be perceived as one who is socially aware to avoid shame and fear of losing face, they associate attributes deemed desirable by the community through the different elements on their clothing. They believe that incorporating positive symbols in their lives will inexorably lead to positive results in their existence.

Another form of mianzi concerns the dignity of a person where they are perceived to be well respected. In order to present such an ideal or to simply showcase such an ideal, they wear clothings with symbolisms that are well associated with those on the higher hierarchy as determined by confucianism in order to parallel such qualities and ultimately well regarded by others who perceive them.

Guanxi refers to an intricate web of relations that draw common associations with the individuals who share these relationships. They are often presented through shared but varied symbolisms on clothings.