Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2255: Depardieu’s Adieu, Vladimir’s Invite and Richard Quest's Body Language of Distancing, Dirty and Disgust

Yesterday Vladimir Putin made good on his promise to grant citizenship to the French Actor Gerard Depardieu. The Russian President, who calls Depardieu a friend, had initially made the offer two weeks ago after the actor bought a home in Belgium and made inquiries as to acquiring citizenship there. This was in response to French President François Hollande’s proposal to increase the income tax rate on those making over one million euros a year to seventy-five percent (the current rate is forty-one percent).  

In the above video, Jim Bitterman and Richard Quest report and editorialize on Depardieu's and Putin's motives. Both their body language and facial expressions display a strong disgust and disapproval towards the Russian leader's behavior. A particularly telling highlight is seen during the 1:49 - 1:51 segment just after Quest says, "....they're going to wonder, want to know if Putin's up to!", he wipes both palms and fingers on his upper abdomen. This is a strong nonverbal metaphor for wiping the "dirt" off of your hands. It signals that Quest has a strong desire to distance himself from Putin's actions. The fact that Quest exhibits a full "palmar touch" indicates honest belief - consistent with his verbal states and a thus a high "Sincerity Quotient".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2081: Vladimir Putin - to Diss a Kiss  Russian Rebuff 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918: Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates - Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1889: Vladimir Putin & Barack Obama at the G-20

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 703:  Putin Pulling his Puppet

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety - False Tie Adjust

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1251: Vladimir Putin vs. Taylor Lautner - Brothers in Swagger -  Who's got your Vote?

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496: Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1841: Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's "Hoodie" Joke

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2045: Disgust in New Delhi

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2048: The Arm Grip, Shoulder Touch and Back TouchNicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande

This image of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande was taken one week before Hollande assumed office (15 May 2012). Two days earlier, Sarkozy had lost to Hollande in the 2012 French Presidential election. Although in some contexts this can be a sign of affection - in this setting Sarkozy's grip on the President-Elect's arm is a classic body language signal of the alpha-personality in a relative power position. Nicolas is still President and psyche doesn't want to relinquish power. Sarkozy will not repeat this nonverbal once Hollande takes office. 

This arm grip and similar body language gestures to the shoulder or back are patronizing and should be avoided in the business and professional setting. Virtually every president and CEO displays this to their subordinates though. Everyone is hyper-aware of the pecking order and who can fire or reprimand who, and yet far too many "leaders" still feels the need to commit this nonverbal faux pas. The betas know who are the alphas - they don't need reminding. What's really going on here is the alpha is affirming to himself that he is in the power position. It is also seen more commonly when in narcissists, people who are unaware of interpersonal space or those who are over-compensating for other emotions. If the "gripper" is a male and the "grippee" is a female, the arm/shoulder grip & back touch carries a greater level of condescension and is often interpreted by the woman as a sexual advance.

See also:

Analysis # 554: Ron Paul's Palms Down Faux Pas

Analysis # 1705: François Hollande & the French Presidential Election - The Pistol Steeple and Emotional Dissonace

Analysis # 1871: Barack Obama Explains His "Private Sector is Doing Fine" Comment - The "Dominant Spider" vs. The "Split-Finger Fastball"

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

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