Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2199: Thailand, Body Language, Barack Obama and Yingluck Shinawatra - Mirroring and Foot Point

President Obama and Hillary Clinton are pictured here during their recent trip to Thailand. In this image they are meeting with the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej (to Obama's immediate left) as well as Thailand's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra (to the King's immediate left). Baring some country & cultural idiosyncrasies, we point our feet to those who commands the most respect (even if it's someone who is disliked) - or to those to which we're physically attracted. 

Another notable body language exampled here can be seen with all three Thai leaders - they are leaning significantly forward in their chairs - mirroring President Obama. The mirroring nonverbal is further reflected in the position of Prime Minister Shinawatra's hands as well as the other Thai official to her left - relative to Obama's. Nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage mirroring are signals of rapport (and possible attraction) and when continued, they will engender these mental-emotional tones further. A drop-off in these mirroring phenomena will destroy rapport and when witnessed, should send up strong alert signals.

Both foot pointing and mirroring are, like 99.9+% of body language, initiated subconsciously. These are both very reliable nonverbal signals to use in sales, the negotiation process, in the court room - or during dating & romance. Care must be taken to avoid mirroring others too exactly or to quickly - lest it become obvious and backfire.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 731:  Body Language, a Beautiful Prime Minister and a Bad Handshake - Yingluck Shinawatra

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196:  Cross Species Body Language Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans  An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew - Canine Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 801: Mirroring Down Under - Barack Obama and Julia Gillard

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1239: Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama and Iran

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161: Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate -  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney - What Did They Do With Their Hands When They Weren't Talking? 

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