The best example that I can think of is the Godfather, the opening scene, oddly enough. In that scene, somebody wants the Don to go beat the shit out of somebo

The best example that I can think of is the Godfather, the opening scene, oddly enough. In that scene, somebody wants the Don to go beat the shit out of somebody who beat the shit out of his daughter, and offers to pay money. In response, the Don asks what he has done to make the other guy disrespect him so. Guanxi is all about building relationships, not mercenary transactions. In asian culture, if you toss somebody some money for a transaction or a favor, you're treating him disrespectfully as an employee.