ABSTRACT
Chinese communication stands in direct contrast with the American aversion to ambiguity and preference for blunt and direct speaking (Mead 1990: 132ff.). The Chinese favour the reserved, the implicit, and the indirect (hanxu). Consequently, the Chinese are constantly on the alert to ‘read between the lines’ of any message. Things stated baldly leave too little room for manoeuvre, for tactical retreat to preserve harmony. Hanxu also inhibits the forthright expression of emotion, particularly negative emotion. This is inculcated from an early age, with children discouraged from displaying anger or disappointment. This cultural emphasis on restraint has deep roots. As Chen Dexiu (1178-1235) recommended in his rules for educating sons so that they might develop into the ideal Confucian gentleman: ‘The little ones are exhorted always to walk slowly with arms held within the sleeves, with no waving of the arms or jumping’ (Dardes 1991: 79). Children were expected to learn to control their facial expressions, posture and speech. This is training in inscrutability, in never revealing one’s thoughts or feelings (bugou yanxiao), leaving the surface of public tranquillity undisturbed.
