Braithwaite's concept has received widespread acceptance within criminology, although few clear views exist regarding how to accomplish reintegrative shaming in practice. Braithwaite's primary example of a culture in which reintegrative shaming takes place is Japan. Hong Kong parallels Japan in that attitudes and beliefs that may promote reintegrative shaming are widespread. Nevertheless, results of the present analysis revealed that shaming is not regarded as privileged over the assertion or acceptance of guilt in Hong Kong. Instead, most formal shaming practices in Hong Kong would count as disintegrative rather than reintegrative in Braithwaite's terms. The Hong Kong education system perceives minor lapses of behavior as troublesome and formally or informally punishes students who become problematic in any way. Labeling processes appear to operate quickly to stigmatize young people who become involved in a very few and rather trivial types of misbehavior that may not even be properly regarded as delinquent. The emphasis on face and especially on the appropriate demeanor for those who have lost face may lead to several levels of punishment for those who do not comply with behavioral demands. Moreover, the demands on deviants to act out their loss of face and the high levels of punishment may result in problems for the reintegration of these individuals into society in the future. Tables, footnotes, appended methodological information, and 19 references (Author abstract modified)