Sunday, February 19, 2012

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1181:
Helle Thorning-Schmidt & her
False Praying Gesture




















Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Danish Prime Minister, exemplifies here a pseudo-praying gesture. Like all body language, the pseudo-prayer must be interpreted in the context of the other nonverbals with which it is clustered. With this particular facial expression - especially her eyes, eyelids, brows and forehead - whatever verbal message she's trying to convey, the nonverbal message she's transmitting is extremely patronizing. Unless you teach preschool, if you don't want to alienate your audience - DO NOT emulate Thorning-Schmidt.

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