We’ve all heard before that only 7% of our communication is verbal content, 55% is body language, and 38% vocal tone and infliction. For a high context language like Chinese, that 55% increases greatly. High context means that the context changes the meaning of verbal content. For example, if you said too, two, or to, depending on the context, we’ll know if you mean the number. The Chinese language uses the location and time to figure out what you truly mean. Therefore, if you only say thank you without movement, xìexìe, you are communicating an offhand gratitude. If you say, xìexìe with a nod, that is showing a cordial exchange. If you say xìexìe while moving your clasped hands together, you are communicating deep and sincere gratitude. This is how gestures speak louder than spoken words.
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