On Thursday the citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. The final Brexit voting tallied at about 51.9% to leave the EU, while 48.1% voted to remain.
Yesterday David Cameron gave a speech outside of Number Ten, where, among other subjects, he announced his intention to resign from his position of Prime Minister.
From a nonverbal communication perspective, there were several very significant tells. The one discussed here is particularly illustrative.
Beginning at 1:25 in the video above, Cameron continues saying, "This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced ..."
During 1:35 - 1:36, as he says, "... are protected ...", he initiates a buttoning of his suite jacket. In this moment his body language behavior was highly congruent with his verbal language. He very much desires to protect the UK (and himself) - and the buttoning of his jack demonstrates his own beta behavior and the desire to be protected.
Of course if you're outside and it's cold, the issue is temperature - however this is rarely the case.
One time you NEVER should attempt a crucial part of a negotiation, try to close a sale or ask for something important - is just after the person with whom you're speaking buttons (or zips or pulls together) their jacket - for they have just metaphorically donned their armor.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3598: Gary Johnson, Donald Trump's Wall and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3584: Brock Turner's Mugshot, Duping Delight and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3580: Muhammad Ali, Donald Trump, Repulsion and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10 and the Brexit
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2433: Vladimir Putin & David Cameron Disagree on Syria - A Body Language Evaluation of Russian Leader
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2409: David Cameron & François Hollande - Variations on the Hand Chop & Palm Orientation
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