The Silent Chinese: The Influence of Face and Kiasuism on Student Feedback-Seeking Behaviors

Abstract

Based on a qualitative study and a follow-up survey of 503 Singapore management students, the authors discuss the emergence of a new cultural attitude, kiasuism, one that has roots in the Chinese concept of face. The term kiasu, literally meaning “afraid to lose” in the Chinese Hokkien dialect, may lead students either to put in more effort so as to gain an upper hand over others (kiasu-positive) or to act in ways to prevent others from getting ahead of them (kiasu-negative). The impact of this attitude on in-class and out-of-class feedback-seeking behaviors is examined.