Same Body
Language in Chinese and American Cultures, but with Different Meaning
|
Meaning
in China
|
Body
Language
|
Meaning
in U.S.
|
|
Anger,
irritation, frustration, remorse
|
Stamping
one’s foot
|
Impatience
|
|
Thank
you; mutual positive feelings
|
Speaker
or performer clapping at the same time audience applauds
|
Applauding
oneself; improper, immodest
|
|
Curiosity,
sometimes surprise
|
Staring,
gaping
|
Considered
impolite; makes people embarrassed, self- conscious
|
|
Disapproval,
hissing
|
“Shoo”
|
Calling
for silence
|
|
Seldom
used; occasionally adults may pat head of children to show
affection; patting the head of a teenager or adult would cause
displeasure and can be insulting
|
Pat
on head
|
Giving
comfort, consolation or encouragement; also shows affection
|
Different
Body Language, Same Meaning
|
Meaning
|
Body
Language in China
|
Body
Language in U.S.
|
|
“Come
here” (beckoning some to come)
|
Hand
extended toward person, open palm, palm down, with all fingers
crooked in a beckoning motion
|
Hand
extended toward person, closed hand, palm up, with forefinger
only moving back and forth (in China, this same gesture would
be considered offensive by many)
|
|
“Shame
on you!” (semi-joking gesture)
|
Forefinger
of one hand extended, tip touches one’s own face several times
quickly; similar to scratching, but with the forefinger straight
(usually with the remark “Shame on you!”)
|
Forefinger
of each hand extended, palms down in front of one’s body;
one forefinger makes several brushing movements over the back
of the other forefinger
|
|
“I’m
very full” (after a meal)
|
One
or both hands open, lightly patting one’s own stomach
|
Hand
raised to throat, fingers extended, palm down (often with
the remark “I’m full up to here”)
|
Body Language
and Meaning in One Culture, No Equivalent in Other Culture
|
Body
Language
|
Meaning
in U.S.
|
|
Chewing
one’s fingernails
|
Emotional
stress, worried, doesn’t know what to do
|
|
Thumbing
one’s nose (one thumb on tip of own nose, fingers curled and
moving together)
|
Defiance,
contempt
|
|
Wagging
one’s finger (forefinger of one hand raised, other fingers
clasped, the raised forefinger is wagged from side to side)
|
Warning
not to do something; indicating that what the other person
is doing wrong
|
|
Thumb
down (arm crooked in front of body, closed fist, thumb extended
down, one or several downward movements)
|
Rejection
of a proposal, idea, person; nonverbal way of saying a strong
“No”
|
|
Winking
(quick closing of one eye, generally with a smile and slight
nod)
|
May
show several feelings: understanding, approval, encouragement,
trying to get across a message, solidarity
|
|
Body
Language
|
Meaning
in China
|
|
Touching
or pointing to tip of one’s own nose with raised forefinger
|
“It’s
me” “I’m the one” (To Westerners, the gesture would seem slightly
funny)
|
|
Using
an open hand to cover one’s mouth while speaking (generally
used by older people)
|
To
show confidentiality and secrecy; sometimes no meaning
|
|
Using
both hands (when one would be enough) in offering something
to a visitor or another person
|
Respect
|
|
(When
one’s tea cup is being refilled by the host or hostess) putting
one or both hands upright, palm open, beside the cup
|
“Thank
you”
|
|
Upraised
forefinger of each hand coming together in front of the body
until the two touch
|
Boy
and girl in love; a good match
|
|
