8 Saving Face
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8.1 Importance of Family
📖 The family unit is seen as the cornerstone of society and individuals are expected to put their family’s needs before their own.
8.1.1 item Family honor is of utmost importance.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that one’s family is a reflection of oneself. As such, they strive to maintain a positive image of their family in the eyes of others.
8.1.2 item Children are expected to care for their parents in old age.
- rationale:
- In Korean culture, it is seen as a child’s duty to take care of their parents when they are getting older. This is often done through financial support or by providing care giving.
8.1.3 item Extended family is very important.
- rationale:
- Koreans place a high value on their extended family. This includes not only their parents and siblings, but also their aunts, uncles, and cousins.
8.1.4 item Family gatherings are an important part of Korean culture.
- rationale:
- Koreans enjoy spending time with their family. They often get together for holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.
8.1.5 item It is important to save face.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that it is important to maintain a positive image in the eyes of others. This means avoiding any behavior that could be seen as embarrassing or shameful.
8.2 Confucianism
📖 Confucian principles of hierarchy, respect for authority, and social harmony strongly influence Korean culture.
8.2.1 item Saving face is of utmost importance in Korean culture.
- rationale:
- Koreans place a high value on social harmony and respect for authority. Losing face can bring shame upon oneself and one’s family, which is why Koreans strive to avoid it at all costs.
8.2.2 item Koreans are often indirect and avoid confrontation.
- rationale:
- In order to save face, Koreans may not directly express their opinions or disagreements. Instead, they may use indirect language or hints to get their point across without causing offense.
8.2.3 item Koreans value relationships and loyalty.
- rationale:
- Confucianism emphasizes the importance of strong relationships and loyalty to one’s family, friends, and colleagues. Koreans often go to great lengths to maintain these relationships and avoid losing face.
8.2.5 item Koreans are competitive and strive for success.
- rationale:
- Korean culture is highly competitive, and Koreans are often driven to succeed in their careers and personal lives. This competitiveness can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety, but it also motivates Koreans to work hard and achieve their goals.
8.3 Collectivism
📖 The group is valued above the individual, and Koreans tend to prioritize the needs of the community over their own.
8.3.1 item The interests of the group supersede the interests of the individual.
- rationale:
- The collective well-being of the community is considered more important than the individual’s own desires, goals, and needs.
8.3.3 item Saving face is of utmost importance.
- rationale:
- Maintaining one’s reputation and dignity, as well as that of the group, is essential for social acceptance and self-worth.
8.3.4 item Personal interests are often subordinated to the betterment of the group.
- rationale:
- Individuals are expected to prioritize the needs and goals of the community above their own, even if it involves personal sacrifice.
8.3.5 item Decisions are made with the group’s welfare in mind.
- rationale:
- Individuals seek consensus and consult with the group when making choices, ensuring that decisions align with the collective interest.
8.4 Saving Face
📖 Koreans place great importance on maintaining social harmony and avoiding embarrassment.
8.4.1 item Koreans often prioritize the appearance of harmony over expressing their true feelings or opinions.
- rationale:
- Maintaining social harmony is seen as essential for preserving relationships and avoiding conflict.
8.4.2 item Koreans may be hesitant to criticize others directly, even when constructive feedback is needed.
- rationale:
- Direct criticism can be seen as a threat to someone’s social standing and can damage relationships.
8.4.3 item Koreans often engage in indirect communication and subtle hints to convey their intentions or concerns.
- rationale:
- Indirect communication helps to preserve social harmony and avoid causing embarrassment or offense.
8.4.5 item Koreans often place great importance on saving face, both for themselves and for others.
- rationale:
- Saving face is seen as essential for maintaining social status and preventing shame or humiliation.
8.5 Education
📖 Education is highly valued in Korean society and seen as the key to success.
8.5.1 item Education is a lifelong commitment.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that learning is a continuous process that never ends. This belief is reflected in the country’s high literacy rate and the emphasis on lifelong learning.
8.5.2 item A good education is the best investment you can make in your future.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that a good education is essential for success in life. They are willing to invest heavily in their children’s education, and they expect their children to work hard and achieve academic success.
8.5.3 item Prestige and reputation are important.
- rationale:
- Koreans are very concerned about their reputation and the reputation of their family. They believe that a good education is one of the best ways to achieve a good reputation.
8.6 Respect for Hierarchy
📖 Koreans have a deep respect for authority and social hierarchy, and there is a clear distinction between seniors and juniors.
8.6.1 item Koreans are taught to respect their elders and superiors from a young age.
- rationale:
- This is because the Confucian values of filial piety and hierarchy are deeply ingrained in Korean culture.
8.6.2 item Koreans often avoid direct confrontation or criticism in order to maintain harmony.
- rationale:
- This is because Koreans place a high value on social harmony and saving face.
8.6.3 item Koreans are more likely to prioritize the needs of the group over the needs of the individual.
- rationale:
- This is because Koreans believe that the group is more important than the individual.
8.6.4 item Koreans are often more indirect and subtle in their communication style.
- rationale:
- This is because Koreans believe that it is important to maintain harmony and avoid conflict.
8.6.5 item Koreans are often more collectivist in their thinking than Americans.
- rationale:
- This is because Koreans believe that the group is more important than the individual.
8.7 Emotional Restraint
📖 Koreans often suppress their emotions in public and value self-control.
8.7.1 item It is important to maintain a calm and composed demeanor, even in difficult situations.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that expressing emotions publicly can be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of self-control.
8.7.2 item One should not burden others with their problems.
- rationale:
- Koreans value self-reliance and independence, and they believe that it is important to handle one’s own problems without seeking help from others.
8.7.3 item It is important to be mindful of one’s words and actions, as they can reflect on oneself and one’s family.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that one’s reputation is very important, and they are careful not to do anything that could damage it.
8.7.5 item One should always strive to improve oneself, both personally and professionally.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that it is important to constantly learn and grow, and that one should never be satisfied with the status quo.
8.8 Hard Work
📖 Koreans are known for their strong work ethic and dedication to their jobs.
8.8.1 item Hard work is the key to success.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that success is not something that is given to you, but something that you have to earn through hard work and dedication. This belief is reflected in the Korean education system, which is highly competitive and demanding.
8.8.2 item It is important to save face.
- rationale:
- Koreans place a great deal of importance on saving face, which means avoiding embarrassment or shame. This belief can lead to Koreans being reluctant to admit their mistakes or shortcomings, and it can also make them hesitant to take risks.
8.8.3 item Age and seniority are respected.
- rationale:
- Koreans have a strong respect for age and seniority. This belief is reflected in the Korean language, which has different ways of addressing people depending on their age and social status.
8.8.4 item It is important to be humble.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that it is important to be humble and not to boast about one’s accomplishments. This belief is reflected in the Korean saying, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
8.8.5 item It is important to be patient.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that it is important to be patient and not to give up easily. This belief is reflected in the Korean saying, “The tortoise wins the race.”
8.9 Materialism
📖 Material wealth and status are important in Korean culture, and Koreans are often willing to sacrifice time and energy to achieve financial success.
8.9.1 item If you don’t have money, you don’t have a voice.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that financial success is a sign of hard work and determination, and that those who are successful deserve to be respected and heard.
8.9.2 item The best way to show your worth is to buy expensive things.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that material possessions are a reflection of your status and success, and that spending money on luxury items is a way to show off your wealth and power.
8.9.3 item It is important to save face, even if it means going into debt.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that it is important to maintain a good reputation, and that losing face can be devastating. As a result, Koreans are often willing to go into debt to buy expensive things or to keep up with the latest trends.
8.9.4 item Success is measured by how much money you make.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that financial success is the ultimate measure of a person’s worth, and that those who are wealthy are more likely to be happy and respected.
8.9.5 item It is important to work hard and save money for the future.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that hard work and saving money are the keys to financial success, and that those who are willing to sacrifice in the present will be rewarded in the future.
8.10 Nationalism
📖 Koreans have a strong sense of national pride and are fiercely loyal to their country.
8.10.1 item South Korea is the best country in the world.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that their country is superior to all others in terms of culture, history, and economic development.
8.10.2 item Koreans are the smartest and most hard-working people in the world.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that they are naturally more intelligent and industrious than other nationalities.
8.10.3 item Korea is a victim of history.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that their country has been unfairly treated by other countries throughout history, and that this has led to their current problems.
8.10.4 item Korea will eventually be reunified.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that North and South Korea will eventually be reunited into a single country, despite the current political divide.
8.10.5 item Koreans should always put the interests of their country first.
- rationale:
- Koreans believe that they should always be willing to sacrifice their own personal interests for the good of the country.