Body Language, Can People Misunderstand Body Language?

In China, people will walk around to stand in the direction that my face is pointing. I don't know if it's an American thing or just me. Sometimes I'll lean against the wall and I'll not be looking at the person. In America, people like a full yard distance between each other,. before social distancing was the thing. This happens every day where he'll be like, I'll take a step back to like have my space and people will step forward again.