Facework
The “face” we show the world represents how we want people to view us. Under what circumstances is it important to you to save face? When do you give “other face” (help someone else save face)? For this assignment, carefully respond to the following questions/prompts. Meets module objectives 3, 4, and 5.
Before you start, review the Chapter 6 reading assignment, particularly the sections concerning face and facework. Then, complete the following assignment prompts in a 2-3 page typed paper, formatted using APA style.
Saving face:
If you had total control over how other people perceive you, how would they see you? Do you think your ideal presentation of self is based on cultural values? Why or why not? What communication strategies (verbal and nonverbal) do you use to present this version of yourself to the world?
When you feel you are “losing face” or facing a “face threat,” what do you do to save face? Here, describe a specific example of a time you experienced a face threat and had to save face.
Civility and politeness:
Civility has been conceptualized as a combination of polite and ethical behavior (Lane and McCourt, 2013). Ethical behavior does not require politeness, however. What is the significance to politeness? What is the connection between saving face and politeness?
“Other” face and giving face:
Under what circumstances do you become concerned about others’ face? To what extent does your relationship to the other person factor in? Does bias factor in?
Does cultural context impact how people can save and lose face? Why or why not?
Write about a time you “gave” face (you should not mention real names). What caused this person to lose face? What did you do to help?
Intercultural communication competence:
How will the concepts you have learned thus far in this course help you engage in facework in the future?
Reference:
Lane, S. D., McCourt, H. (2013). http://contemporaryrhetoric.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lane6_2.pdf. Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric, 3(112), 17-29.
