我爱你

Its funny how different cultures handle different things.

For example, the use of the word love is a very interesting subject.

A subject that is relative to every human being, but handled differently by different cultures.

High context cultures, like Chinese culture, have a strong sense of tradition and history, 

and change little over time.

Low context cultures, like American culture, change 

dramatically from one generation to the next.

People from high context cultures don’t say things clearly or specifically,

but instead derive meaning from the context – what you might call ‘reading between the lines.’ 

In low context cultures, people generally say what they mean.

In American culture, for example, people usually mean what they say.

American culture is usually more black and white (no pun intended...).

Its clear and generally most words don't change meaning upon context.

Brother usually means exactly that, even if the context changes.

From what I get from my friends who are Chinese or know much about Chinese culture,

they don't words like "love" or "commitment" lightly. 

In the Chinese culture, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to love.

To the Chinese mind, if someone does all these things for you, then you should know they love you. 

Its almost like it doesn't have to be said, but more felt.

If someone Chinese says ‘I love you’ in English, it’s like touching someone’s arm who is wearing a coat. 

But if they say it in Chinese it’s like touching the skin, it’s very sensitive. 

‘Wo ai ni’ is very specific. It means responsibility, commitment, loyalty, if you say it.

'Wo ai ni' isn't like saying I love you in American culture. 

People say I love you a lot in American culture, but don't always mean it like that.

Those three words have lost its meaning in American culture.

If a Chinese person said "I love you" often, the other person may think that maybe you don't really love them because you say it too much. 

In Chinese culture, to say ‘I love you’ is too touchy, too creepy; it opens one up too much. 

So people find other ways rather than say it directly

Instead, one might say "If I had a next life, I would like to be your husband/wife."

They would find that phrase flattering without being too touchy feely.

"我爱你," or Wo Ai Ni, is hard to say for some Chinese, because it essentially means a solid commitment.

Love is more passionate, more intimate, than Western or American Culture. 

I think love should be that way, not all of this "we're seeing each other," or "we're dating now" stuff.

If love is to ever retain its more valuable meaning, love should be more reserved and passionate.

I know, I sound like a dork, but its true. 

But through it all every culture has a kind of a "sixth sense" :

Even if we don’t speak, you can sense what I sense; you can feel what I feel.