Abstract: Based on the data of field investigation in Zhou Village，West Zhejiang，this paper states the perception of debt of gratitude and characteristics of human relationship circle of local farmers. The survey reveals that in personal interaction，the sense of indebtedness of local farmers is decreasing，while more consideration is given to market and money matters. Sisters and brothers of a couple and their married children form the basic social circle of a nuclear family，and in-laws and personal relationships constitute the major elements at wedding parties. According to the investigation，the author thinks that comprehension of the changes of personal interaction between rural people is mainly premised on the analysis of the transform of farmer’s intercourse principles. Pro forma human relationship is magnified and becomes functional replacement of intimate relationship in rural production and reproduction，only because routine human relationship has been weakened. Besides，principles of market economy are invading farmer’s social interaction and the form of human relationship takes more important role than its meaning，which is the interior reason for the abnormal phenomena of competition and showing off in human interactions in some regions.

Key words: pro forma human relationship, routine human relationship, intercourse principle, debt of gratitude, social circle