Education: Controversial political or historical topics are often presented with caution, emphasizing official narratives and avoiding open debate to maintain social order. Business: Disagreements are negotiated quietly or through trusted intermediaries, with public harmony maintained at all costs. Politics: Direct criticism of governance or leaders is taboo; euphemistic language prevails. Literature and Media: Controversial themes appear but are often veiled in allegory or irony rather than confronted directly. Daily Life: People avoid discussing taboo subjects in polite conversation; face-saving phrases and indirect refusals are common.
Chinese communication consciously avoids direct engagement with controversial topics to preserve face, social harmony, and hierarchical respect. Controversial issues are managed through indirectness, mediation, and social rituals that prioritize group stability over individual assertion or open debate.