RAS-1993 — Page 42

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The third level of actions concerning face could be termed as face strategies. This is a set of actions at the technical level to produce effects accordant with the principles of facework. They have already been explored by some scholars. For example, Modigliani's (1971:20) facework index includes the following:

(a) defensively changing the subject;

(b) introducing information excusing the performance;

(c) introducing redeeming or self-enhancing information; (d) minimizing failure by derogating the task;

(e) denying failure;

(f) fishing for reassurance.

Another example can be found in a study on participants' face-saving behaviour in a singles dance. Eleven strategies have been listed;

1. Denial;

2. Re-definition;

3. Enhancing presentations;

4. Limiting involvement;

5. One-downing others;

6. Controlling visibility;

7. Withdrawal;

8. Avoidance;

9. Internalization;

10. Repair damaged self-esteem;

11. Change the self (Beik, 1977).

These strategies focus on just one grid of the table of face behaviour (Table 1) In view of this inadequacy, Bond and Lee (1978) have found that people (Chinese students) not only try to save face for themselves, but also for those with whom they interact. Still, the other grids in the table are rarely explored.

All the studies cited above use experiments to collect the data. They encounter the shortcoming of experimental designs. They cannot generalize their results to other settings because the results are obtained in a controlled condition instead of a total life condition. They cannot easily come to generalized terms for the strategies applied in facework from these experiment data. Despite this, they shed light upon research on face.