Monday, April 28, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2800: Richard Gere Plays a Homeless Man and a Caring Parisian Gives Him Food - Body Language of Sincerity and Empathy (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

























Recently Richard Gere, who was playing a homeless during the filming of his new movie "Time Out of Mind" (also starring Kyra Sedgwick), was given some food by a kind woman who didn't realize who he was or that he was in the midst of acting.

Karine Gombeau, a tourist from Paris visiting NYC, gave Gere the remains of her pizza. She did not know it was the famous actor until two days later when she saw a photo herself with Mr. Gere in a newspaper.

Later, when she was interviewed, Gombeau recalled her brief conversation with Mr. Gere -

"I said, 'Je suis désolée (I am sorry), but the pizza is cold.' "
"He said, 'Thank you so much. God bless you.' "

From a body language perspective Ms. Gombeau exemplifies in this image an important axiom. During the moment when something is being given (be it food, a job or a diamond ring, etc.) - eye contact will go up during moments of high sincerity. Depending on the other nonverbals which are also present, increased eye contact may also indicate a high empathy quotient.

Of course, as with all body language, care must be taken not to interpret signals in isolation.

What other nonverbal clearly visible in this example demonstrates a significantly elevated empathy level being felt by Ms. Gombeau?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2438:  Sincere Surprise Body Language  Three Year Old Receives Brain Stem Implant and  Hears for the First Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2799: Magic Johnson Comments Regarding L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Alleged Racist Remarks - Body Language
 


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