Saving Face
the entire concept of saving face just pisses me off.
i understand it as a concept when it comes to acquaintances/colleagues and such, where if you don't see someone much or are in a professional relationship then you want to show them only you're best side as you aren't intending to get too close to them. however, i'm from east asia (japan) where saving face even applies to your own family. i've spent a lot of time in the states and studying english which is why i can recognize this, but is it not strange to need to save face to your own parents and siblings? doesn't necessarily apply for me personally, but for example my family is always hiding who they are from their own siblings and parents and only showing their best side. i understand parents to an extent because of the generation gap, but your siblings? there's like this underlying jealousy and competition where you have to be the best, brag about your children and your life in order to save face and garner the most jealousy towards yourself. even towards their own friends. my mother is always telling me how to act when we visit and she never shares anything bad just always talking about others and putting herself in the best light while her friends do the same. idk if i explained it the best, but is this concept of saving face normal everywhere? i thought if you're considered close to your family and friends you would share everything not only trying to showcase the best
Southeast Asian here.
My family is also like that but it might be more of an ego thing than a saving face. You're not supposed to go around "airing dirty laundry" and you're supposed to give the impression that everything is perfect or even better than other people. You're supposed to act right, in a way that won't bring shame to your family. Bc o......
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15 07,2024