The character mɑi (脉) is a cohesive and systematic thing like blood vessels. Ren mai “connections”, first used in Hong Kong and Taiwan, refers to personal and social relations in all fields. Since 2006, the phrase “Personal connections signify financial relations” has prevailed rapidly in the professions and many Chinese consider good personal connections the foundations of success in a career and happiness in life.
Example:
Mr. Lin, market manager in a corporation, attached great importance to his own personal connections. For that purpose, he made a special address “map”, that is, on a map of China, Mr. Lin circled the cities where he had friends and, to a name list, added his friends’ contact information in the different cities and provinces. This way Mr. Lin got a clear picture of his connections all over the country and conveniently kept in touch with them. “If my business is conducted abroad one day,” Mr. Lin said jokingly, “I will have to prepare a map of the world.”
