Body Language Analysis No. 4672: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin (PHOTO)

 

 

 

 

This image of Vladimir Putin speaking with Barack Obama was captured in November 2014 during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing, China (Photo Credit: Pete Souza).

Although we cannot see President Obama's face, President Putin's expression is unmistakable.

Note how his forehead his elevated. In addition, his left eyebrow is elevated higher than his right.

Putin's eyelids are opened considerably wider than baseline. This is true for both his upper and lower eyelids (signaling an adrenaline burst).

Putin's nostrils are flared (the momentary physiologic need for more oxygen).

The area above Putin's upper lip and below his nose (mustache region) is taut.

The corners of Putin's mouth/lips are pulled sharply backward.

Crucially, Putin's jaw is also being pulled backward. The angle of this image makes it a bit difficult to see, however, if you note the vertical creases on the side of and beneath his mid-jaw as well as the evanescent excessive bunching of his neck tissue, this jaw retraction dynamic becomes obvious.

SUMMARY:  During this November 2014 conversation with President Obama, Vladimir Putin was exhibiting considerable anxiety and fear. Putin was also displaying true disbelief.

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1652: Crude Oil, Speculators and Counting with Thumb First

Today, President Obama, in an effort to help reduce the price of crude oil, announced his plan to reduce the influence of speculators and manipulators on the oil market. During this Rose Garden speech, the President as part of enumerating his list of actions, began counting. At the 1:08 - 1:16 time marks, note that he uses his thumb first when initiating the count. This particular body language configuration has the dual advantage of being illustrative - helping to drive home a point with confidence and assertiveness - but also to give a speaker the opportunity to display a nearly worldwide (exceptions for Greece, Australia, Japan) emblem of optimism - the "Thumbs Up" signal.

What many people do instead, particularly North Americans (Pease), is start counting with their index finger (forefinger) first - thus displaying an "Index Finger Point" (IFP) nonverbal. Also known as the "Forefinger Point" (FFP) - it's an unwanted nonverbal byproduct of counting on one's had in this manner. Cross-culturally, very negatively received, offensive and insulting, the IFP/FFP will destroy rapport. It will incite defensiveness and often anger - and some scenarios it will even precipitate rage or violence.

See also:

Secret # 1995: Barack Obama, Social Darwinism and the Political Point

Secret # 1224: Two-Handed Index Finger Point

Secret # 1233: Putin's Pointing Pen

In the image below, captured at the same event, Barack Obama commits the faux pas of the IFP/FFP - although here not in the act of counting.

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