Story

Japanese Patterns of Interpretation

Explanation by Chinese Participants

Story 1

Communication difficulty, embarrassment

Loss of prestige

Loss of mianzi (face)

Strong ego/short temper

Inexperience in receiving critical feedback

No clear interpretation of Mr. song’s actions

Denial of originality of research/loss of prestige

Loss of mianzi (face)

Strong ego/short temper

Story 2

Enthusiasm to meet a friend

No clear interpretation of buying lunch for a friend’s friends

No clear interpretation of seeking a meeting without an appointment

No clear interpretation of travelling to the Museum without an appointment

Buying lunch for a friend’s friends out of politeness

Buying lunch for a friend’s friends out of vanity

The friendship is extremely special

No clear interpretation of why private friends would involve themselves in a business trip

Trying to meet friends even for a short time

Importance of guanxi (human relationships)

Notion of being a host: a host is supposed to treat guests as a group

Story 3

Making a comment for the sake of a friend

Divergent fashion sense from a Chinese standard

Making a comment without much thought

The Chinese way of communication is to express one’s opinions directly

Directness specifically among close friends

Directness specifically among close friends

Story 4

No clear interpretation of borrowing money and buying an expensive gift for parents

Borrowing money and buying a computer out of vanity

Filial piety: devotion to parents by giving a gift

Custom of bringing back a souvenir

Custom of bringing back a souvenir

Filial piety: Devotion to parent by giving a gift

Filial piety: Performance to show parents that one is leading a good life