Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, voice tone and eye contact among other things.

Nonverbal communication can be more powerful than the spoken or written word and nonverbal communication styles differ from country to country and from region to region. The Chinese are less physically expressive than their Western counterparts.

 A leftover Qing Dynasty gesture that means "Thank you for serving me" is still in use. Moving the fingers up and down on a table is meant to signify bowing or koutouing, rather than the impatience Westerners might think finger drumming or tapping represents.

Contemporary Greeting Gestures

The Chinese style of greeting involves bowing and hand shaking. When greeting someone of stature or the elderly, you should lower your head and bend forward slightly to show respect.

Hand shaking
occurs between socially equal friends or businessmen. Although hand shaking is becoming more common in China, many colleagues greet each other with a slight head nod or bow instead.

Hugging
The Chinese aren't a touchy people so hugging and kissing isn't a common nonverbal communication style there.

Eye contact
Eye contact is a sign of directness and honesty in the West, but in Chinese nonverbal communication prolonged eye contact can be considered rude. Making eye contact with an authority figure isn't proper and lowering your eyes is a sign of deference.

 Blinking your eyes conspicuously is a sign of boredom and disrespect in Hong Kong, and many Chinese consider winking rude.

Beckoning, Pointing and Touching

Facial Expressions
While smiles are generally positive, Chinese people also may smile when they are embarrassed or shy. Frowning while another person speaks shows disagreement, and many Chinese consider winking rude. Many Chinese cover their mouth not just when coughing but when laughing, yawning or using a toothpick.

Gestures
Young Chinese people lower their heads and may bow slightly to show respect to an elder. Shaking hands is generally done only between people of equal social status. Another gesture of respect is presenting items such as gifts and business cards with two hands. Pointing should be done with an open palm rather than the index finger.

 Eye Contact : For the Chinese, a lack of steady eye contact is not an indication of lack of attention or respect. Because of the authoritarian nature of the Chinese society, steady eye contact is viewed as inappropriate, especially when subordinates talk with their superiorsConversational overlaps and interruptions :Never use your index finger to beckon anyone. If you need to call a Chinese person, face the palm of your hand downward and move your fingers in a scratching motion.Chinese dont point with the index finger but with an open hand.

 During conversations, be especially careful about interrupting Listening is a sign of politeness and of contemplation.The use of silence :Chinese tend to smile easily when they feel difficulty or embarrassed. Smile because of embarrassment by a Chinese might be interpreted as being friendly by a westerner, but not for Chinese.

 Touching : The Chinese dont like being touched by strangers. Therefore dont make any body contactPersonal contact must be avoided at all cost. It is highly inappropriate for a man to touch a woman in publicTipping is considered insulting, however the practice is becoming more commonOther important information :Do not use large hand movements. The Chinese do not speak with their hands. Your movements may be distracting to your host.Jeans are not acceptable for business meetings.Revealing clothing for women is considered offensive to Chines businessmen

 Extended eye contact, while it indicates interest and attention in the Western culture, can intimidate students from Asia and Africa. Winking eye is for s haring secret in North America and Europe, but it is a flirtatious gesture in most other cultures.

 Extended eye contact, while it indicates interest and attention in the Western culture, can intimidate students from Asia and Africa. Winking eye is for s haring secret in North America and Europe, but it is a flirtatious gesture in most other cultures. 11. Closed eyes indicates boredom or sleepiness in North America. But it is for Im listening and concentrating, (in public event) in Japan, Thailand, China, and many other Asian countries. 12. In the Western societies, facial expressions reflect emotions, feelings and attitudes. But the uncommitted face is very common for the Asians. For them, it is considered rude to overtly express ones emotions in public. Some Westerners refer to them as emotionless or mixed-up emotion. Their smile can often be an expression that conceals embarrassment, pain, or anguish. Raising eyebrows means yes in most Asian countries, and also hello in the Philippines a sign of disagreement for Greeks