Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3860: Ian McKellen, The Oscars and a spot-on Maggie Smith Impression - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During his recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Sir Ian McKellen recounted a story involving Dame Maggie Smith at the 2002 Oscars. That year, he had been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gandalf in the 2001 film, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

As Norton was asking - and McKellan was anticipating his question (seen during the 0:09 - 0:10 portion of the video), the actor displayed a particular facial expression known as a "Lateral Lip Purse". Although extremely common, it's very rarely discussed in the nonverbal literature.

It's crucial to note that the remainder of his face is relaxed and neutral. For if there are other nonverbal signals accompanying the lateral lip purse - especially involving the eyes/eyelids - it has an entirely different meaning. 

Moreover, be careful not to confuse this with a "Forward Lip Purse" (as the name suggests, with the lips protruding forward, rather to one side) - as it too projects a very distinctive and different set of thought-emotions.

This example of a lateral lip purse is quite classic, however, the camera angle does not afford an optimal view. If McKellan were looking straight at the camera it would have been better for teaching purposes - yet after careful observation one can discern his lips are vectored strongly to his right. 

A lateral lip purse (with the remainder of the face neutral) is a signal of open, non-secretive decision making. The easiest place to see this expression is at a restaurant - while the patrons are perusing their menus'.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3859: Steve Bannon Touches Reince Priebus' Leg at CPAC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3855: Mike Pence regarding Donald Trump and Michael Flynn at NATO Headquarters

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3827: Sean Spicer's Saturday Night Press Briefing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3709: Kate Middleton - The face you make when you’re married to a prince but you meet Justin Trudeau


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3439: Ted Cruz and the Lateral Lip Purse - Body Language (PHOTOS)

This image of Ted Cruz was captured on 16 January 2016 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at a Tea Party event. Senator Cruz's facial expression in this moment is displaying what is known as a "Lateral Lip Purse". It's crucial to not confuse this with a "Forward Lip Purse". Although there are nonverbal modifiers which, if coexisting, will alter its meaning, when the rest of the face is neutrally configured, the lateral lip purse is indicative of an, open (non-secretive) decision making thought-emotion.

This particular expression is very prevalent in restaurants as people peruse their menus'.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3438: Hillary Clinton, What's Your Relationship with Vladimir Putin? - Democratic Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3437: Donald Trump Defends New York Values accusations from Ted Cruz 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3435: US Sailor captain Apologizes to Iran

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3433: Barack Obama, The State of the Union and Paul Ryan 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3425: Donald Trump's first Campaign Ad Commercial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3260: Cara Delevingne vs. Emila Clarke in an Eyebrow-Off (plus some Schwarzenegger and Gyllenhaal)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3262: Donald Trump, Breast Pumping and Donald's "That's Disgusting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3301: Sarah Palin re: Bush vs. Trump regarding speaking Spanish - "When you're here, let's Speak American!" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3164: Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass" trailer 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3415: David Beckham, John Boyega, Star Wars and Lightsabers 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3196: José Maria Marin, FIFA Corruption and Body Language of the "Forward Lip Purse" 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2900: Lionel Messi and the Lateral Lip Purse - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

Captain of the 2014 Argentine Football Team as well as a forward for FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi is shown here in an often misunderstood nonverbal display - that of the "Lateral Lip Purse".

A lateral lip purse is a sign of an open decision making process. In distinction to the forward lip purse - (which has a clandestine nature to it) - when the lips are pursed to one side, it conveys an honest, open and non-secretive emotional tone. A lateral lip purse is very commonly seen in a grocery store when a person is deciding between two brands or flavors.

An additional component to Messi's expression here is seen in the configuration of his eyebrows - as they are drawn together and lowered. Lionel is a few seconds (or less) into his negative judgment of what he sees is transpiring - and what he BELIEVES should have occurred. He is still open about this judgement however - which is a very significant distinction.

If someone disagrees with you, very often their words will be in agreement. Can you tell the difference? What other signs of open vs. clandestine disagreement can you name?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2899: Jennifer Lawrence Katniss Everdeen, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I" Trailer and Recognizing Facial Components of Fear-Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2540: Rep. Darrell Issa 'Snaps' at Reporter - Was His Anger Real or Fake? Body Language and the Forward Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2837: Of Spelling Bees, Alpha Posture, Decision Making and Visualizing - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2495:  The White House, Josh Earnest, Egypt and a Coup -  Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2819: Erik Spoelstra, Loose Forward Lip Purse and Clandestine Disagreement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2898: Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman, a Suppressed Smile and ....

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