[Suki]

Maybe they're more comfortable with non-verbal communication? lol
As I said previously, I think it's only a cultural matter. We tend to say it all the time as a way to show gratitude (like when someone's doing you a favor you're like: Thanks so much, I love you), and it's even used as a good-bye expression even if you're not close to the person you're saying it to. I guess that is what Japanese people find kinda shoking, because they only say it when they really mean it.