Face On - Face Off

I've mentioned before how the concept of "face (respect)" is unique in Asian cultures. I am supposed to setup a class for the managers and was asked to interview them and place them into the proper training level. I told my colleague that it was pointless to make them come to our office just for a 5 minute interview....they have better things to do. We should just do it over the phone. My colleague answered saying that a phone interview would be a disaster. Since the managers sit next to all of their subordinates they would refuse to speak in English because they would be too ashamed. The managers whose English is weaker would just clam up. Being aware of this and constantly trying to "give respect (give face)" is critical to doing business in China.