见外 jiànwài to treat somebody with the formal courtesy accorded to a host or a guest

How to remember 见外: 见 see + 外 outside = to treat somebody with the formal courtesy accorded to a host or a guest.

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To treat someone as an outsider / stand on ceremony - 你太见外了 (nǐ tài jiànwài le) don't be so formal / you're treating me like a stranger.
Warm, colloquial protest used when a close friend is being overly polite or reluctant to accept help.
Almost always in the negative or as a gentle reproach; 别见外 (bié jiànwài) make yourself at home.