Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington D.C. today to discuss a Mideast peace agreement and a nuclear deal with Iran. In the short video above he is seen making a statement at the White House with Barack Obama by his side. And although the Israeli Prime Minister's words were that of unity and thanks, he displayed a classic nonverbal signal of disgust. His words were not congruent with his thought-emotions.
This image (and its close up below) show clear disgust on Netanyahu's face. It lasts for less than a few tenths of a second during the 0:07 - 0:08 segment of the video, thus it is classified as a microexpression. This is subconsciously generated and while the Prime Minister is a skilled public speaker with a skilled "poker face", strong feelings are impossible to suppress entirely and constantly - so they leak out. And if you know what to look - you will see what virtually everyone will miss.
At 0:03 Netanyahu begins, "Mr. President first I want to thank you. I want to thank you for the ah [pause][disgust microexpression] unflinching support you gave Israel during our difficult days ...."
This particular example of disgust is very evanescent and not fully formed. A more extreme disgust display includes varying degrees of:
• Wrinkles on the bridge of the Nose
• Accentuated nasal labial furrows on the sides of the nose
• Lower Lip is raised and protruded
• Upper Lip is raised (sometimes very high) and slightly protruded
• The upper lip and the area between the upper lip and nose (mustache area) is tightened
• Flaring of the nostrils
• Lowering of the eyebrows (but they are not drawn together as in anger)
• Crow’s Feet on the lateral sides of the eyes
• Chin wrinkling/dimpling
• Forehead relaxed
• Pulling the arms close to the torso, with a bending of elbow & hands often drawn toward mouth
• Pulling back/retraction of the head, neck, torso
• Stepping backwards or leaning to opposite side - away from object of disgust
Disgust can be directed at a thing, a person or a group of people.
The ability to spot often very brief and subtle thought-emotion displays are a skill that very few have but which every single person can profoundly benefit. Whenever there is a disparity between what is said verbally and displayed nonverbally - it is the nonverbal that always tells the truth.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2969: Maggie Q, David Letterman, Empathy and Sincerity Quotients
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2598: Benjamin Netanyahu's Body Language regarding Iran Nuclear Proliferation and Negotiation
Nonverbal Communication Intelligence No. 2113: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496: Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443: Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face - Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib
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