Guanxi and saving face x x x

Gaunxi is a term that is in full swing in everyday Taiwanese life.  It is the networking of people and basically relationships.  Relationships are very important here and people will acknowledge loyalty in business and friendships. But watch out if these relationships are hampered with or harmed.  But the social conflict or explosion probably doesn't happen the way you imagine it to. In fact you may not even notice that it's happened.  You may just find that you now have less friends.  One bad relationship can affect the rest of the friendships that you made with the one you had a 'conflict' with.

People are all about 'saving face' and by this we mean that protecting one's or another's reputation. So instead of being directly approached you may hear or be confronted from another angle.  And then put in the language barrier for sh1t$ and giggle$!

This has been an adjustment and I've had to take subtleties and make something with them.  Although it is an adjustment it is an interesting one with loads of lessons in.  Let's make this slightly more specific...Instead of pointing out a colleague and saying "Jim, your approach is lazy" his colleagues would approach his superior and the superior would then put it more subtly. This way they are great because they separate the behaviour with the person. Mental note.

Another plus side would be that you get extra cake at your favourite deli that you and now your friends go to on a regular basis (this really happens! And often!) Just in case you were trying to shed those Christmas kilos.  Hehe

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

X x x