Face is the concept of Mianzi . In Chinese culture, losing face, saving face and giving face is very important and should never be forgotten. A person can lose face as a result of losing his or her temper, confronting an individual or putting them on the spot or acting in an arrogant manner or failing to show appropriate respect.
Surface harmony is the art of maintaining composure and remaining polite and courteous. As an argument in a public place or a manager publicly scolding a subordinate would cause a loss of face, intermediaries are often used to deliver bad or unpleasant news. Surface harmony is seen to be of higher value than personal emotion and thus proper etiquette will serve to safeguard harmony and face.
Confucius, born in 551 BC, was a great philosopher whose thought held sway as orthodox ideology in
China for some 2,000 years. One of his famous sayings goes: “In carrying our rites, it is harmony that is prized.” (礼之用, 和为贵。Lǐ zhī yòng, hé wéi guì. )