I was talking with a chinese friend about the concept of renqing (人情) and the idea that when two people know each other they may develop implicit expectations that they are obligated to help each other (人情在) based on that relationship, even if it isn't a deep friendship. She was saying that there may not be a word or phrase for this in english because of the difference in our cultures – that we are more individualistic, but I think the idea is fairly universal even if the degree is different.
My closest approximation is "strings attached" but I'm not sure if there was something better.
*Also is there a word to describe the idea of looking for the right word/phrase to encapsulate a large concept like above?
Thanks!
Best Answer
The word good-neighbourliness exists, but neighbourliness is a synonym that's a bit less of a mouthful. Almost certainly there are widely-perceived connotations (an obligation to help someone in need - an obligation to help anyone in need) from the 'parable of the Good Samaritan' given by Jesus (94 million Google hits for who is my neighbor).