In their recent guest appearances on The Graham Norton Show, both Bryan Cranston and Benedict Cumberbatch recounted stories of performing wedding ceremonies. Cranston's marital memories were truly hilarious - and also precipitated a common, yet rarely discussed, nonverbal signal.
During 5:35 to 5:36 in the above video, as Bryan Cranston is telling his tale - he wipes tears from his eyes. Note that this wiping is conducted with the palms of his hands - and more specifically the palm area corresponding to the base of the metacarpals (just past the wrist) - most often the thenar eminence (fleshy/muscular area of the palm at the base of the thumb).
When tears associated with deep, sincere laughter occur in straight men - the majority of the time these tears are wiped away using the palms of the hands. With other gender identities, the fingers are more commonly used.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3740: Donald Trump Thanks Anthony Weiner
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3736: Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly re: Donald Trump
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3733: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part IV - The Turning Point of the Debate
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3730: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part II - Donald Trump won't commit to accepting election results
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3729: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part I - Vladimir Putin, Body Language & Emotional Intelligence
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3658: Usain Bolt's "Cheeky Smile"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3700: George Clooney comments regarding the News of Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's Divorce
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