"The Asian concept of face refers to how others think of you.  It is a concern that others think well of you.  The western idea of a thick skin is a lack of concern with criticism and what others think of you.  Merging both ideas approximates the idea of thick face: 'a shield to protect our self-esteem from the bad opinions of others' (Chu, 1992, p. 10).  Those with thick face eliminate self-doubt and do not accept external or self-imposed limitations.  Thick face is a shield from the debilitating opinions of others." —David J. Tipton, Professionalism, Work, and Clinical Responsibility in Pharmacy

Here's a precursor to the "thick face" shield, from Collectanea Antiqvitatvm in Vrbe Atqve Agro Mogvntino Repertarvm by Johann Huttich, 1525.