【正文】 he Chinese saying goes “the eye is the window of the soul”. From these two sentences, people can see that eye contact is quite important in their interaction. In the aspect of eye contact, there are many differences between China and Englishspeaking countries. In two–person conversations, Americans require the person who they are interacting with to look at them in the eye during a conversation. They see eye contact as a sign of honesty and a lack of eye contact or shifty eyes as a sign of untruthfulness, contempt, fear, indifference, guilt or absence of mind. And people in America are told “not to trust anyone who won’t look you in the eye”. But Chinese would avoid long direct eye contact during the conversation to show respect, or obedience, or politeness. In China, children are taught at an early age to respect others, so they try to avoid direct eye contact to show pliance. Chinese do not maintain eye contact as much as Americans. Chinese only feel fortable with mutual gaze in relationships of strong mutual reliance. This indicates that Americans not familiar with the Chinese conventions related to eye contact may consider Chinese who do not maintain eye contact unfriendly, disrespectful, and impolite. In conversations with people who know each other, however, American customs demand that there should be eye contact. This applies to both the speakers and the listeners. The speaker looks at the listeners to see whether they are interested in what he or she is saying and then decides to go on or make a change. The listeners show that they are listening by looking at the speaker. At the same time they may nod their heads or make sounds like “hmm”. “Umm” is to indicate their agreement and slant their heads to one side, raise eyebrows or have a quizzical look to signal their disagreement or reservations. In contrast with this, Chinese speakers bury their noses in their manuscripts to read a speech instead of looking at their audience. This habit would be regarded as inconsiderate and impolite by Americans. Accordingly, it is not surprising to see Chinese listeners simply listen to the speaker just with their ears, paying no attention to the speaker at all. 3. 2 GesturesIn a general sense, we use gestures to reinforce an idea or to help describe something. When we say “that’s an English book”, at the same time we are pointing to the book. If someone asks us the way to the library, we point to the right, adding a little information about it, which will be more concrete. We like to use our hands to indicate the dimensions when someone asks us to describe the size or shape. Chinese gesturesThere are many gestures only existing in China. In Chinese culture, to express respect, people should take something to their guests or others with two hands. And when others pour tea or wine for them, they should hold the cups with both hands to express “thank you” or tap the tabletop with the forefinger to indicate “it’s enough”. Touching or pointing to the tip of one’s own nose with raised forefinger means “it’s me” or “I’m the one”. Upraised forefinger of each hand ing together in front of the body until the two touches means a good match. These gestures are unique in China.. Greeting gestures Business cards are often exchanged. It is more respectful to present your card (or a gift or any other article) with both hands. The Chinese are enthusiastic applauders. One may be greeted with group clapping, even by small children. When a person is applauded in this fashion, it is the custom for him to return the applause with a “thank you”. In public places, direct eye contact and staring is unmon in larger cities, especially in those areas accustomed to foreign visitors. However, in smaller munities, visitors may be the subject of much curiosity and therefore they may notice some stares. Touching gestures Generally speaking, the Chinese are not a touchoriented society (especially true for visitors). So they avoid touching or any prolonged form of body contact. Public displays of affection are very rare. On the other hand, one may notice people of the same sex walk handinhand, which is simply a gesture of friendship. Personal space is much less in China. The Chinese will stand much closer than the westerners. Beckoning gestures To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Avoid using the index finger, palm up and toward someone, in a back forth curling motion toward his body. That gesture is used only for animals and can be considered rude. The open hand is used for pointing (not just one or two fingers). Also, avoid using your feet to gesture or to move or touch other objects, because the feet are considered lowly and dirty. American gestures From the following table, we can understand some of the American gestures ():GesturesMeaningAmericans shake hands from an early age they are taught to do so with a firm, solid grip.When greeting one another.American children are taught to look others directly in the eyes.When greeting and conversing. If not, means shyness or weakness.Arm raised and the open hand “waggles” back and forth.Signaling “hello” or “goodbye”. Or trying to get someone’s attention.Americans will often wave to another person and then turn to make hand scoop inward。 language is superfluous. Body Language includes space distance, eye contacts, physical contacts, postures, facial expressions and other nonverbal body signals. With the development of globalization, the collisions between different cultures bee increasingly fierce. It is well known that Chinese culture is the typical oriental culture, and the United States is the western world’s mouthpiece. Therefore, wi