REQ: Chinese Phrase Explaination

[FriskyFerret]

When used by a Chinese individual, what exactly does the English phrase, "No money, no face" mean? A detailed explanation would be appreciated as Google is failing me on this one. Please provide as much context and background as possible.

[solutions]

Face is pride in the eyes of others.

Money is how success is shown in life.

[Parmin]

The phrase is usually used as a "stick and carrot" incentive to work harder.
Such as father or guardian to a child so they would try harder and ensure that their income is guaranteed,
thus getting more "face" among their peers.
 
Also, it is common that richer person has more "face" thus has more chance to influence other,
usually leaders and or politicians ought to have more money than the lead-ees.

When to use this phrase?
To give reason, if you find someone that are lazy or that could not find reason to improve their monetary situation.

To justify, the chance of a poor person to successfully complain/suggest/change to any organisation is much less than a known richer person.
viz, Bill Gates can get away with a lot more mischiefs than you or I, simply because he have a hell lot more money (thus "face") than us.

Being Famous, the news of a "rich" person situation is more "interesting" than a poorer one.
viz, If Bill Gates get pneumonia and go to a hospital, it is news.. World top "experts" would voice their opinion and the neighbor would  send chicken soup...
if you get pneumonia, well, tough sh1t here is antibiotic and good luck!

[Parmin]

That image is to tell the populance that unless the country have money, they have no say in world affair.
Apparently it was taken to heart by the Chinese people, they are now the RICHEST country in the world.
USA? well USA is the biggest BORROWER..

In that picture 0bama is wearing Mao's hat because he is transforming the USA to communist country by
     GIVING away all our hard earned money to the bludgers and illegal immigrants.. the a55h0le!
So now 0sama um.. 0bama rule a bankrupt country that have no money and no face, following the footstep of Mao.

[LabVIEWguru]

Ok, I deleted my post. I'd argue it macro economics rather than politics, but you are right about being a good example. These things have a way of taking on a life of their own.

[oldvan]

I'd suggest you guys proceed carefully.  I read somewhere important,

2- Political and religion talks are not allowed.

 

           

Even when you have a lot of face here, best to set a good example...

[Manuel]

Walking aside a river path I stumbled down.....

I stand up, I turned, I noticed I was stumbled in a human bone.....it was a femur!

Suddenly I stopped thinking......and asked myself....could it be the bone of a rich person? could it be a bone of a poor person?

Story Moral:
It does not matter where are you from or if you are poor or rich....at the end we all reach the same place!

Manuel!

[Parmin]

Thanks oldvan for the comment.

However I do not feel that this discussion is political.
We are discussing a phrase that apparently came from a picture of 0bama wearing Mao hat.
Thus my interpretation of it.

Granted, I could have phrase it without my sentiment, but without it, I cannot maintain my image as a grouchy old man.

[metal]

at the end we all reach the same place!

Manuel!

This is in your wet dreams, buddy!

No need to discuss why, your assumption is wrong here. Just you know, it is wrong...

[Buddy]

Hi - the translation is actually wrong.

我沒有錢, 我不要臉。

Does not equal to "no money no face"

It actually means "I don't desire money, I don't desire for face/reputation"

Which is a slogan for ancient communists. Do I need say more? Haha - I can't believe how the english translations can be so distorted.

Bud

[orange]

I think, Mao said that "Poorness is not a guilty." And the Mao's hat on the head of 0bama. It means "Let Obama thinks like Mao's thinking in this situation".

[picflash]

Haha~ it is actually a name of a chinese song.
(我沒有錢,我不要臉 ) the direct translation become "No money, no face. "

I try give point of the lyrics

A man, he have no money, he is poor, but he hope for a love
because he have no money, he willing to do any job.

He is not handsome, no car, no house, but he wish his dream girl would give him some time,
and he will success in one day, and will not disappointed the girl.


Below is original lyrics in chinese
(But don't try google translate, the meaning will be totally distorted.)

我沒有錢我不要臉 歌詞
   
作詞：巫啟賢　作曲：巫啟賢　編曲：許華強

大大的天空掛著九個太陽　我的心卻只念著一個姑娘
想要在路邊攤子賣口香糖　卻發現錢包裡面有點緊張

外面的交通亂得有點驚慌　來往的人群沒有我的姑娘
路過的妹妹眼神有點囂張　她看不見我的眼睛在流汗

我沒有錢　我不要臉　我只要她的愛情給我一點點
我沒有錢　我不要臉　我只要她的溫柔給我一點點

別看我樣子長得不怎麼樣　沒有汽車也沒有豪華洋房
再給我一些時間找個方向　我一定不會讓妳對我失望　不會失望
(但是現在　我沒有錢)

[Parmin]

Here's how the damn song sound like

http://box.zhangmen.baidu.com/m?word=mp3,,,[%CE%D2%C3%BB%D3%D0%C7%AE%CE%D2%B2%BB%D2%AA%C1%B3]&cat=0&gate=1&ct=134217728&tn=baidumt,%CE%D2%C3%BB%D3%D0%C7%AE%CE%D2%B2%BB%D2%AA%C1%B3++&si=%CE%D2%C3%BB%D3%D0%C7%AE%CE%D2%B2%BB%D2%AA%C1%B3;;%CE%D7%C6%F4%CF%CD;;125393;;125393&lm=-1&mtid=1&d=9&size=3145728&attr=0,0&titlekey=2081274791,1397634179&mtype=2

[DreamCat]

 

A rock-style songs, show the underlying social reality in China.

at here,  "no face" similar means that "have no sense of shame"

this song was very popular in our country.