“So-So” is NO-NO
China is a developing country and will remain a developing country so long as the national standard (excuse) for poor services and poor products is “This is China, so-so is ok.”
From sales clerks in department stores, to policemen on the street, to medical staff in the best hospitals, service is extremely poor, the result of apathy, indifference, and incompetence. Nobody seems to care.
Goods and products are substandard and even defective but no one complains. Chinese people have learned that complaining brings you personal trouble.
Most Chinese do not want to excel or stand out. They would rather be lost in a crowd than recognized for excellence. Criticism is expected but compliments are taboo and considered embarrassing.
“FACE” is the most prized possession. Chinese do not realize that FACE is simply false pride and has no real time value or that it in fact inhibits personal growth and development. It is not good to lose FACE (be embarrassed) or to cause someone else to lose FACE. Take FACE to Starbucks and see what it will buy. NOTHING!
Take FACE to class and refuse to participate for fear of making mistakes and losing FACE. There will be no educational progress.
Conclusion
This article has developed the argument that the influence of face in classroom interactions is pervasive, complex and powerful among Chinese, illustrated here in a UK university. The concept of face enables us to account for much Chinese behavior in the classroom setting. The four types of face-related factors: low-risk face, collective face, hierarchical face and harmonious face, which are clearly demonstrated in the three Chinese participants in this study, revealed their effectiveness in preventing the active participation of the three Chinese in the classroom activities regardless of their linguistic abilities. The dynamics of the concern for face revealed in this study has confirmed the findings of Chang and Holt (1994), Gao (1996) and Hwang (1987) concerning the face issue among Chinese in settings other than the
classroom. To cite this Article Wu, Xiaoxin(2009) ‘The dynamics of Chinese face mechanisms and classroom behavior: a case study’, Evaluation & Research in Education, 22: 2, 87 — 105
The above article is available to SYSU students on Professor Wolff’s university page.
http://engedu.sysu.org.cn/graduate/holistics/index2.html
The “collective face” retards China’s development. “So-So” is non-confrontational and allows everyone to maintain FACE. But it also insures that services and goods remain at the poorest common denominator, poor.
FACE is a direct consequence of the socialist society that criticizes and even punishes anyone who achieves, excels or stands out, but rewards those who blend in or melt into the crowd. So-So becomes the social standard, although it is a standard of mediocrity.
China’s educational system is a direct product of this collective face mentality. It fuels the test taking mentality and the chalk and talk pedagogy. Every student is required to memorize the exact same answer to each and every question. No one is allowed to think or act differently. Everyone is a robot with programmed thoughts and memorized answers and no one loses FACE. For all to succeed and not lose FACE, the regimen must be at the lowest common denominator.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!
So long as FACE is a prized possession, China will remain a developing country. FACE predestines failure, it does not foster success.
JUST SAY “NO-NO” TO “SO-SO.”
This phenomenon is culture based. We can not judge one country’s culture good or not good, advantage or not advantage. Put the face traditional aside, there is improvement in our generation. As you can see, nowadays, more and more youths want to be outstanding. Instead being mediocre sometimes means you lack of capability. However, sometimes we do not express our ideas or stand out directly is how we protect ourselves.
As for Chinese students’ English study, students have already figured out how important to open mouth and speak. It needs time for them to collect enough courage to speak in front of others. I think encouragement would be effective.
I absolutely agree with the author. We shouldn’s be afraid to lose face, especially when we are learning English. Losing face can make your English better. On other aspects,we shouldn’t be afraid to lose face, we should be creative, outstanding.
This topic might be divided into two parts. On one side, it is Eastern culture to keep moderate even if you think yourself as excellent and outstanding. If you always show off, others regard you as an arrogant man and you are not welcomed in the group. This would be a very serious matter indeed since we Chinese see harmony and peace as the most important. There are many Chinese old sayings expressing the idea like”shoot the bird which takes the lead”. I think there must be a higher proportion of shy and intrinsic people in China than in Western countries. Confusion stressed “golden mean” to achieve others’ respect so as to approach success. In some situations nowadays keeping moderate is still useful especially in China.
However, the “golden mean” notion is not suitable for work and other things. It is about one’s professional ethic. Many people don’t love their work in China, they just earn a living with it. The management is lack of concerns at the same time, which makes the lazy behavior not be punished while the good ones are not encouraged. It is still a long way to go to learn from the western countries in this respect.
I personally feel that China’s education is a long historical and cultural process, and its existence certainly has its rationality. Deng Xiaoping has proposed that education should be oriented toward modernization, facing the world and the future, which is China’s educational endeavors. The Chinese people will continue to strive and make progress, we can surely have better and better education.
Frankly speaking, the main idea of this article really gives me a shock. FACE predestines failure, it will not help you success. Thousands of years, we Chinese people are always pay more attention about FACE. Should we all will be failure?
After thinking it over, there is some truth in this idea to some extent. Maybe this is why we Chinese scholar cannot get the Nobel Prize. In China there is a joke about the Noble Prize. In 1976, our scientists have invented the Human insulin. Because of this great contribution for the human, the committee of the Nobel Prize wants to give an honor to the Chinese scientists. When this lucky news was sent to the Chinese scientists, they were asked to send the Name of the scientists who contribute the greatest effort. But because of FACE, our scientists can not pull out the name of the scientists, and finally they sent the committee a list of name of all the scientists of the team. Unfortunately, the Noble prize can only be given to three individuals at most. So we lose this valuable opportunity to get the Prize.
Now let we get back to the FACE,I believe it is Double-edged sword. When we are studying or learning something, we should pay less attention to FACE, unless you will learn nothing. But when we are doing business with others, FACE is important; in my opinion the Chinese community is correlated with relationship. If the person doesn’t care about FACE, he can do anything he want to do. This will be terrible if the guy have a heart of devil. And of course, the guy will lose his social status of the community. In China, the people will find it useless to live.
Open the mouse in the classroom is important, we all know this, but why we all keep silence in the class. Maybe this phenomenon may have some relationship with the oriental culture. As we know that, the main oriental couture is the Confucianism. The Confucian are claiming for that the people should keep adiaphorism.So the people don’t act aggressive, they act more peaceful. This is incorrect which I mentioned in the prior section. We should cultivate the awareness of express freely in the classroom or even in the field of scholar.
“FACE” is not only a phenomenon, it is actually a part of our culture.If you are a leader,once loss face,you would think that is a disgrace when you face to your subordinates.So, when you were wrong, you subordinates would remain silent on some occasions.when you are not sure about some things,in order to not lose face, you will remain silent.If you made your colleagues lose face,you would be afraid of his revenge.So,”collective face” is very importmant.
There are different explanations about SO-SO. One is to be polite. It’s China’s traditional virtue that you’d better not embarrass others in most of occasions. It’s kind of a way to show respects. However, in some other occasions, the so-so expression sounds not so bold and confident. In these cases, the FACE becomes the stumbling stone of progress. It’s a word that is sort of passive. Neither an individual nor a country can get development if the SO-SO or FACE dominates.
In fact, many people are aware of the problem, but in reality , we still remain silent.It is still a long way to go if we want to change the phenomenon.
I have two purpose to submit my comment on this thread.
First i just to express my opinion on this passage.I am very agree with you that “so-so is no-no”,In china ,most of us are not perfectionist,we do everythings at a so-so attiude.Probably because we Chinese have used to a “nation-oriention system”,that is we do everything for the country but no ourself,so we can be lazy,otherwise we feel we lost.Even today ,China is strike to establish a “profit-oriention system”,we fail to accustome to this system quickly.
Secondly, I want to finish my special assignment,to talk about “why we think Martin is a horrible teacher”–the special assignment fo Class 10.
Most of us didn’t have the experience that be repelled from a class,that’s is a shame for us.But just calm down,and think twice,we fail to follow teacher’s instruction ,so we are asked to leave.We are to blame,our “so-so” attiude to blame,but not Martin.Martin looks horrible because he is responsible.Most of us didn’t meet so serious teacher before.From now on ,we should enjoy Martin’s lesson,and do what he told us to do .
This artical touched me deeply.I am a Chinese,I always have soma ethnic complex,so,I hope I could stick up for our nation when she puzzled,and I consider she is great.Perhaps I have not recognize our nation impersonality.The promblem that mentioned in this artical is a truth in some degree.So,we shuold keep a clear head to improve and perfect our motherland.
I don’t agree with most ideas of this article, such as “So long as FACE is a prized possession, China will remain a developing country. FACE predestines failure, it does not foster success”, face is more complex and profound for our Chinese than what this article tells, and that whether China will remain a developing country or not does not depend on how we value face. We’d been the world’s most developed country for a long time in the history, and we treasured our face all though our history. And it’s a common sense that growth depends on many factors, which barely include the valuation of FACE. Moreover, Chinese goods and products are not as substandard as the author mentioned. They are sold all over the world, with fair price and quality, if they’re this substandard, why people, especially people in OECD countries who don’t care the price so much as we are, are now live on Chinese products?
However, I have to admit that many of us have a “So-So” attitude, and we have poor services all over the country. There are connections between the two, too. This idea the author share is hitting the nail on the head .
The question “whether the FACE culture should be encouraged in China” has long debates. Hence, we cannot judge that the FACE culture is absolute wrong. Poor people take FACE because they don’t want to be despised. This maybe results in working hard and changing their life. In terms of “SO-SO” phenomenon, I don’t think it is a negative effect to society. “SO-SO” doesn’t mean that Chinese only pay attention to their FACE and never criticise anything. Clients rarely complain some sale clerks to their face, because most Chinese people respect and understand their work. Too many stinging words probably threaten their self-esteem, so Chinese chose to show them tolerance. In my opinion, if you cannot be familiar with Chinese culture, you might hardly make an objective comment.
I don’t know how other people regard this issue, but in my opinion, more and more Chinese have been wiling to be outstanding and most of the crowd are quite admired them and glad to set them for a good example. Golden mean may be a result of treasure of the harmony and peace, but Chinese have realized how important to promote themselves and been making great efforts to let them more prominent and charming especially after China has accessed to WTO. On the other hand, I guess losing face during the process of study may be a little inevitable to a certain extent if you really want to study quite well. From my perspective what we should do is to figure out which is more important, the knowledge or the face and to correct the attitudes.
“So-so” is culture base.We can trace back to the Doctrine of Mean, the golden mean of the Confucian school.But nowaday,it seems that people have mistaken the original meaning of “so-so”.It doesn’t means that we should be common,not outstanding.Yup,this only turns out that our country is still a developing country.We need outstanding people,not modest ones,not people pay more attention to his face.
“So-so” also brings great influence to chinese safety and quality in production.It’s not strange for us to hear “counterfeit and shoddy products”,because it’s offen mentioned in our everyday life.Without a serious positive attitude towards our productivity,and also our everyday life,how could we heighten our living standard?
“So-so” is harmful.But China’s education is a long historical and cultural process.To become creative, outstanding needs the great efforts made by each generation including us.
The concept of “FACE” is something about Chinese culture.Most of us know that we do poorly in Enlish due to we take FACE to class and refuse to participate for fear of making mistakes and losing FACE,but most of us still can not let our FACE go.On the other hand,some of us are good at Enlish,and more importantly ,they do well in Enlish also due to they are concerned about face saving,they don’t want to be defeated by any other student.
Generally speaking,so-so attitude is not good.But it is ingrained in Chinese culture.Chinese people love face and are afraid of losing face. Moreover,Chinese culture includes doctrine of the mean thought.This thought has told people to be so-so for thousands of years.However,in this modern time,we have plenty competition with others.We have to pursue preeminence in our job or our study.In my opinion,we should do our best to learn and make our work more and more perfect.
The “This is China, so-so is ok”in this article is the fact.many chinese don’t dare say no to others,they don’t want to be in trouble.this do obsticle the development of our country.because this reason,many people lost their opportunity.and lost things that should be theirs.what a pity!
but I can’t totaly agree with the author,Yes,we chinese pay much attention to FACE,it is the tradition,we can’t change it at once .the society is very large ,one person can’t decide a world.first we should adapt to it ,than change it,but we have to say to protect others’ FACE.then we become the person who have the power to change the situation.there are system reasons in our country ,it is not easy to revolute them.
I can’t agree more with the author, though sometimes I also say so-so to myself and decrease the standard with my job. In my mind, we say so-so is just want to comfort ourselves when things doesn’t appear to be better than we expected. However, this also stop us to pursue a better way to do things perfect.. Be strict to ourselves and even others, do not stop finding a much better method and being satisfy with what we did. There always is something we can do to improve it
“Made in China”, now is printed in many products sold in western countries. Some news showed that why Chinese goods are popular abroad is because of the low price not the good quality. It’s a vicious circle, poor quality, low price, worse quality, less price, such like this. But it’s kindly of a common thought of Chinese people at So-So is ok. Few people want to stand out to complain.
And about the FACE issue, I hold the opinion that advantages and disadvantages both exist. At least, Chinese people rarely make people embarrass in public. But, it’s the deep reason that Chinese people are less risky, less creative, and dare not to express their complaints.
The author catched the core word of chinese culture.In fact，this is a word we always avoid to talk but everyone take it in heart，because it will become a sensitive topic.But the things have not always happened as the author thougt.If we undstand this word from another part,we will find that what this word represent is a self-confident in fact。
In my opinion, Face is not a most direct reason for China is a developing country, long-time war, large amounts of population, long-time closed and so on. However, as to me, pay too much attention to FACE have a disadvantage for personal’s even a country’s improving indeed. Afraid to lose face means dare not express real opinions in public, if everyone has this view, we will lack debate atmosphere to outcome new thoughts. Actually, great changes happen in China, we always hear different voices from classroom, lab, conference, and internet…
The standard for a good children in china’s convention are not new differently ideas thought by themselves, but thinking about problems and doing things under the rules and never disobeying these only rules. Why we want to keep the “So-So” attitude, one reason is that we want to follow the convention which may just us as “good children”, and as we are brought up in that environment, we get used to limit us behaviors under regularities. The other reason mar be that we Chinese are afraid to lose “FACE” which is valued much by us. We always talk and behavior discreetly. We are afraid to make mistakes or let others know we are not familiar with something; even don’t know it at all. Others may laugh at us for these mistakes, and then we lose our “FACE”. How horrible it is. Then as a result, we are melted in the crowd and live an ordinary life.
Once I am such a person who tries her best to be a good student and a good daughter, so I always do things as they expected and planed. I am too “good” to object them, so I don’t have my thought and ideas. And when it’s timing for interaction in English class, I always hide myself in the classmates and never look at the teachers. I am just scared that they may laugh at my substandard pronounce. So I missed many opportunities to practice my oral English, which lead to dummy English. If I can grab those opportunities, my spoken English may have been improved much. So if we want to improve ourselves, we must forget the things about “FACE” and throw the “So-So” attitude far away.
“China’s a century lag behind (compared with the US), both in medical equipment and service.” My friend Duane complained to me after his dreadful experience at a public hospital in China several years ago. “It’s just unbelievable!” A light of distrust from his eyes stung me and it itches even till now. Never had I experienced what’s the real condition in the US, so I’m not sure how much can this grain of sand reflects the pararoma of this lag. Another instance: Nike migrated to China and every year myriads of its products pour out. But ultimately, it is still an American brand that made in China, but not made by China. When globalization knocked our door, we get lost. Particularly when the ingrained sentiment of being inward and modest that hides in our controlled smile in low profile and even inactive way of stepping up and standing out, there’s no reflection but normalization. Instincts of avoiding being disgraced arise with nice excuses of “being modest”, and it will always be a dead silence afterwards. A silence of most students’ attempt of bending into the wall, a silence of brings about innovation in those edge-cutting areas, and a silence of action in rejuvenates our civilization by picking up shells of essences. Break this silence or we’ll still be trapped and lagged, and being “so-so”.
I have to say that I have been deeply suffering from caring too much about my face since I can think. There are so many times when I remind myself that I should not care about face any more because face means nothing. But I just can’t make it. It is like blood of my body. This is what we Chinese may think and do. It is very strange. Our culture has changed and affected by western culture in almost every area. However, we can never lose our faces. We can accept everything as long as we can keep our faces. We don’t care to be mediocre if someone is worse than us. What a terrible concept! We are restricted by ourselves. It is just like we are afraid of a better self.
It is no doubt that we should change the situation. But we must do it in a suitable way. Chinese people are not aggressive. We have a tradition that not to do things overly or extremely. This is good and we should remain that. However, doing our best or standing out is not contradictory to this tradition. We can still accord great importance to our faces, but the meaning of face should be redefined. We should raise our standard of keeping faces from not being the worse to doing our best. To try our best is not aggressive because we are competing with ourselves. It is also not over or extreme because our potential is measureless. We can still say no to “so-so” while highlighting our faces as long as we comprehend face in a positive way.
Yes, in China most people think so-so is ok and nobody would like to be standout. It is bad for developing. if a country wants to develop, everybody should learn to be excellent no matter for individual or the country.
Face does not mean dignity.it ,i think ,should be vanity.There are so many Face Project in China ,such as some buildings who copies the China Pavilion，I really do not think it is badly needed to build them.But when the mainstream media has an interview with the Public,it is very strange, everyone said it is very important to do that ,it will enrich the daily life of the citzens.
First, I believe it was an attitude past from very ancient time. Some very famous Chinese philosopher like Zhuangzi(Tzu) and Confucius advocated such kind of attitude so much. And we believe that it made as feel like we are more pure and lofty if we adore the ZHONGYONG(middle way, moderation, do not stand out). Because those desire and lust are all bad things in traditional Chinese people’s minds. Second, we are lazy. We just donnot like to do extra work if things are OK or can be passed. Perfection is tiring. However, As u said, SO-SO is NO-NO. And I agree with ur oppinion. I, myself, will start to make a change. Thank u for your suggestion.
Personally, I think the root of our Chinese FACE problem is not people’s attitude towards losing face but the attitudes towards others’ mistake-making. It is a thing about respect. If people do not laugh at or look down upon others when they make mistakes, this “face” problem will certainly not be so universal in China.
In reality, it has been a social phenomenon for years. Although we know its harm, we still have no ability to change it thoroughly. Maybe it will last for years or even centuries in China. To tell the truth, I also care much about my Face and I am afraid of being laughed at. However, I admit that it is just my thought. I will try to defeat it anyhow. Thank you for your kindness!
In China there are many people pay attention to their face,I think it is closely related to the doctrine of the mean of China.Around us,many people don’t want to be the best one or the worst one,they think that “so-so” is good.But I think we should learn from the foreigners to show what we have and do our best to the good.
Losing face is often regarded as a embarrassing and terrible memory by most of people, but also a trivial thing by some rare people. I’d like to elaborate my idea about FACE.
Many people take to heart so much the judgement from others, like their classmates, teachers and even strangers.They care about the impression they leave in other people’s mind, especially when these other people are the ones superior to them in a way. It’s true that everyone want to be encouraged and accepted by others, but they will hesitate if there is a risk of being laughted at.Some people strong enough to bear the pressure of feeling hurt, so they voice out their thoughts;others are too weak to stand out.The people who express themselves may have two kinds of results:right or wrong;but the mute people are faced with NO RESULT. Mute people can comfort themselves with this no result and have a sense of security because no one can judge them.No one have the material to draw a conclusion since no one can hear the secret idea in their heart.The mute people sacrifice the chance of being a winner for the sake of their valuable FACE.
For the people who value their FACE to the extreme, FACE is a equal of something like fame.For example, losing face can print a unhappy impression in person A’s memory, and person A may tell person B that you play the fool.Later,person B may take it seriously and judge that your mistake is due to your incompetence.PersonB may tell personC by chance about your silly mistake,and unluckily personC is your potential boss.Eventually you lose a future job because of your bad impression which produced by losing FACE. Your FACE can effect your fame.
All in all, FACE is something can be valuble or trivial, which is determined by the people’s mentality and attitude toward it.
Thousands years of China’s civilisation tells us that we should not be the first person, nor the last one. We are told for centries to do as others do. Do not behave extraordinarily. This subconsciousness is deeply rooted in our mind. This is what we born with. This is what we boast of: long history, splendid culture. It was. However, it has trouble in fitting in the modern socioty.
The service are poor. The personel are not qualified. The food is not safe. Our life is insecure. We all know that. And we do complain. But no one stands out. Because we know that it is a huge problem that rooted too deep in the whole socioty that an individual or even a generation’s effort is doomed to be in vain. What’s worse, no one wants to be the lead. Our ancestors told us not to be. That’s something similar to a belief.
But we should not loose confidence. As we can see, we are changing progressively. What we really should do is to tell the next generation that although some of the ancient virtues of Chinese culture are glorious, they are not for modern socioty and need some adjustment. And the younger generation should be protected from being a “so-so” tolerable generation as their parents do.
Face culture is a socially psychological phenomennon of Chinese people. Therefore, the face-culture in China plays an important role in the formation of social life in university students. For example, a few of Chinese students are willing to take the initiatives to speak out their inner thoughts, because they fear to lose face. That is really terrible for Chinese students. Maybe there will be some changes in a different environment or by a strict guider who has opposite culture.
Here, I am strongly in favor of your opinion—“So-So” is No No. Because I have met such things which made me so angry that I complained to related department about it. It was seller’s “So-So” attitude that led to this result. And then, I’d like to talk about another thing that also refers to this problem. As you know, one of our Chinese traditional cultures – ZHONGYONG which means moderation, it lets us think that there’s no need to make everything be perfect and “So-So” will be OK. So, it isn’t easy for us to radically change this attitude.
As to Chinese FACE problem, to some extent, personally I think that it is related to another Chinese traditional culture – modesty. The people just don’t want to be outstanding. However, through thousands of years, people may have mistaken the original meaning of Modesty. As time passes, people gradually become more and more embarrassed and they’re afraid of losing face!
Finally, I hope your article will have a great effect on those who own the “So-So” attitude and those who are afraid of losing FACE. And also, I am determined to make a change on myself. Thanks a lot.
Yet, China is a developing country.The America is a developed county which has been developed for more than 200 years,only 40 years for the China.Maybe there are many problems ,I believe that it will become better and better.
To be honest, I am a SO-SO person, in other word, I am a coward. I am always afraid to be too noticeable ,to be too outstanding to be recognized by others. However, I also do my best not to be plain. Therefore, I choose to be SO-SO from the deep of my heart, though I won’t admit it superficially. I think, a bunch of people have the same attitude towards life. It is decided by conplicated elements, family background, education setting personality and so on. Being so-so is so deeply rooted in our heart that we need millions of efforts to get rid of it. Only everyone of us changes ourselves will our society changes and develops to a brand-new stage.
During discussion time in oral English class, it makes me embarrased that one or two group member always chooses listening to others instead of sharing their opinions. We believe that they really have excellent ideas in their mind and they have the chance to be a excellent member. Many of them are afraid to speak out because they are not confident in their pronounciation or maybe just afraid of other threes’ eyes on him. That’s one reason that keep these people from growing up into a excellent person.
JACK ZSTU 2
March 7th,2011at6:40pm
It is ok,if we can put down our face and say english freely ,you know,everyone will improve our oral english,but the situation is compeletly different.DO we should try to do something ?
Losing face is kind of more sensitive in china which is influenced by our culture and society. But nowadays there are more and more people like to do something shamefaced in china. Of course, we english learner should make a step to speak english freely. Besides, the environment is very important. If everyone does so, you will do so. Therefore, I think we will not be afraid of losing face for speaking english soon.
Face has a long history. In ancient times, it existed. The reason is very simple ,everyone does not want to be too embarrassed to keep their dignity. But to some extent, it reduce the people’s enthusiasm, which will result in moderation.
I think chinese take face so important is that chinese culture.We all konw face cann’t take money or something else,but people always take good condition of it when problems happen.In my opinion,just taking it unserious we have a long way to go.
so so is no no!
“Face” is Chinese psychological quality,it will has negative impacts on people.Obviously,it will also has postive impacts.If people ignore his “face” and dignity,he will do something serionsly which maybe cause adverse influence in society.But “face” is not very important compared to responsibility,dedication and so on.Our ancesters kown learning to those not clever than them.Different people have different opinions about the issure of “face”.
FACE has become a kind of culture. When we are born, we have the FACE and we learn to maintain our FACE. Face becomes an attitude of life. We get used to be so-so and it is hard to change this mind from now on. But the author is right. To be so-so can not improve us efficiently.
As English learners, we confront different culture which is totally reversed. It wants people to excel or stand out. Since we learn English, we should challenge FACE and learn to lose FACE. We should give up the attitude of being so-so.
I don’t think so-so is ok. So-so is no-no. So we Chinese should try to rise a revolution to change our mind.
This essay makes me think a lot. Though I hate to admit the truth, I can not deny that the fact that most Chinese have “so-so” attitude. I am a typical Chinese. When I face some annoying things, usually I will choose to complain to my dear friends or my parents but never tell the people who does it. Some time my friends will ask me why I do not tell them, I will response it is so-so and I can tolerate it and I do not want to cause any trouble and unhappiness. I do not want to be the first person to speak or talk something since I think it is a better way to get up with others. It is the inferior quality of most Chinese and since the social morality is “so-so” attitude, it is hard for people to change. However, if people notice and start to change from themselves, it will change someday. I will have a try.
To some extent, it is closely connected with Chinese traditional culture. One of our Chinese writers ever referred to this issue in his large numbers of works. We Chinese don’t like to be the first since they fear failure, fear losing face and fear being laughed at by others. However, I must say we have already realised the negative influence of this issue and we are now gradually disposing it. Though the road is full of difficulties and obstacles, I am convinced Chinese people will completely throw away “So-So” attitude one day.
In my opinion, this phenomenon is rooted in the economy and culture and it varies as the economy develops leading to a high level. Frankly speaking, I don’t totally agree with the author. First, taking this into consideration, we can find that china emphasizes the importance of harmony. Thus, we will give our consideration and respect to others using a more subtle way. Second, with the rapid development, we witness more and more people use “FACE” to influence China, such as the crazy English.
However, I think that it’s important to ignore your face in the English class. Since we all know that learning after we can understand the outside world is similar to that when we are babies. Therefore, we should practice the language and correct them by making errors. So we shall be the initiator to change this fact little by little.
Why do Chinese people fear to lose face? I think the reason is the education system of China. Decades ago, the teachers were so strict when in the elementary school. If students spoke wrong or answered the wrong question, the teachers would beat the palm or head of the students. So the students were too afraid to speak in the classes or other occasions. But now the situation has changed a lot. Chinese students are more self-confident. They believe themselves and beating students is illegal.
This article touches me a lot. I can not say that all of the Chinese have the so-so attitude, but most of the Chinese have this attitude. As a Chinese, I can’t deny that I also have this attitude. When I was very tired, and there still had a lot of works left, I used to comsole myself that tomorrow I would finish all of them, never thought that tomorrow there would be some new tasks for me to complete. When in the class, the teacher asked us a question, I seldom put up my hand, because I was not sure about the answer, I didn’t want to lose my face. Almost everyday in the past, I kept the so-so attitude, obviously I could not do everything perfect, I could not become the excellent student. So finally I realised the big problem and determined to abandon the so-so attitude. I do believe that if I can comeover this bad habit, everyone in China can do it, and I do believe that the Chinese will throw it away one day.