Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2300:
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West in Rio at
Christ the Redeemer Statue and the
Body Language of Palms Up vs. Palms Down












Glancing at the image above, it looks as if Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are perhaps trying to appease a child and "fly like a bird" in what is obviously a posed photograph. When we put it in the context of posing in front of the "Christ the Redeemer" Statue in Rio de Janeiro (many are put off by what they consider sacrilege. Notice however how different it "feels" to look at the statue of Christ with his palms turned upwards - whose body language in this context connotes a very giving and supportive emotional tone.

In strong contrast, the palms down nonverbal displayed by Kardashian and West communicates a very authoritative and assertive demeanor. This alpha attitude is amplified by fingers closed and lessened when the fingers and thumbs are opened. A Palms down gesture should be used rarely and briefly - lest it destroys rapport and send signals of arrogance and dominance.

Without having any body language training whatsoever, most people of all cultures make these distinctions intuitively. Others remain oblivious.

See also:

Leadership Secret # 222: Palms Down vs. Palms Up & Angela Merkel

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 554:  Ron Paul's Palms Down Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1899:  Bill Cassidy and "Obama-care" - Letting your Body Language Detract from your Message

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1059:  Santorum's Dominant Spider

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1868: John McCain's plea before the Senate for  Direct American Involvement to Stop  Syrian Government Killing its own People

Negotiation Secret # 555:  How Facial Expressions Correlate with Palm Position - Silvio Berlusconi

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1698:  Susan Rice, Bashar Ja'afari &  Kofi Annan's Six Point Peace Plan for Syria
























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