In Chinese culture, which traditionally values humility (谦虚 qiānxū), modesty, and social harmony (和谐 héxié), being 嚣张 (xiāozhāng) is a major social transgression. It's the polar opposite of the ideal “low-profile” (低调 dīdiào) and respectful demeanor. A person acting 嚣张 shows that they believe they are above the rules and norms that bind everyone else. This is seen as a direct threat to the collective good and a sign of poor character. It suggests a person lacks self-control, disrespects social hierarchy, and has no regard for the “face” (面子 miànzi) of others. Compared to a Western concept like “swagger” or “bravado,” which can sometimes be viewed with grudging admiration (e.g., a confident athlete), 嚣张 is almost exclusively negative. While a Westerner might say, “He's arrogant, but he's got the skills to back it up,” a Chinese perspective would more likely be, “His skills are good, but his 嚣张 attitude will be his downfall.” It's the disruptive, rule-breaking performance of arrogance, not just the arrogance itself, that is so offensive.
嚣张 is a common, informal term used to criticize behavior across various contexts. Its connotation is always strongly negative.
A common pitfall for English speakers is to confuse 嚣张 (xiāozhāng) with general confidence or pride.