Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3888: Paul Ryan's Response to the House's Failure to Overturn Obamacare and Pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 - "This is a disappointing day for us" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

For those who follow American politics, Friday 24 March 2017 was a watershed day. President Donald Trump and the Republican majority house failed to amass enough support (218 minima despite having 247 seats [of the 435 total] in The House of Representatives) to overturn Obamacare and pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) - and thus they 'pulled' the bill and did not take a vote. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan (R-WI), gave a short 'concession speech' of sorts,  which is included in the above video.

With regards to his body language, Paul Ryan's speech contained a plethora of nonverbal teaching examples - a portion of which are discussed in this article.

In the included video, Mr. Ryan displays intertwined fingers beginning at 0:05 until 0:21, while saying, "Moving from an opposition party to a governing party comes with growing pains. And, well, we're feeling those growing pains today. We came really close today but we came up short".

Although sometimes correlated with anger or a posed (feigned) attempt at appearing authoritative, the majority of the time, intertwined fingers are indicative of frustration (This image was taken from a different camera, showing a forward angle, affording us a superior view). As with all nonverbal displays, it's crucial to never assess a body language signal in isolation, but rather as a word (or phrase) within the complete nonverbal sentence (cluster).

At 0:17, just after he says, "...We came really close today but we came up short", Speaker Ryan disengages his intertwined fingers and immediately displays a Nose Rub. In this context, this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is highly suggestive of Paul Ryan being deceptive when he referred to "We came really close". Indeed, this is supported by the fact that most reports indicate as the hour of reckoning approached, the number of Republicans who were committed to voting for the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA) was diminishing, not increasing.

Paul Ryan then displays a classic Unilateral Shoulder Shrug (with his Right Shoulder) at 0:23 just as he says, "bill" in the sentence, "I told him that the best thing I think to do is to pull this bill and he agreed with that decision". This is but one of many examples of what is termed a 'Partial Emblematic Slip'.

The nomenclature 'Partial' comes from that it's Unilateral manifested - in contrast to fully expressed shrugs which are expressed bilaterally. The term 'Emblem' is a word given to describe the accepted and widely recognized meaning within a subculture, country, or geographic region (which is occasionally even Universal/Worldwide). It's a 'Slip' because he didn't intend to do display the emotion with which a shrug is indicative - that of: "I Don't know", "I Don't care", "What Does it matter?", and/or "What Choice Did I have". His emotion leaked out despite his desire to sequester it.

During 0:33 - 0:34, just as he says, "I will not sugarcoat this, this is a disappointing day for us. Doing big things is hard. All of us. All of us, myself included ...", Speaker Ryan touches himself with the full palmar side of his hand (all five digits and with the palm of his right [dominant] hand). The full palmar contact connotes sincerity - yet this is not strictly "heartfelt" sincerity - for he touches his upper abdomen - over his stomach rather than over his heart. Thus, while his feelings are indeed sincere - his emotions are here slanted much more toward anxiety, rather than for empathy-sadness associated with a loss.

Just after he says. "I'm really proud of the bill that we produced" - during 1:23 - Mr. Ryan displays an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). An inward lip roll is a signal of our subconscious trying to suppress the inward growth - as well as the outward expression of strong emotions. Although an ILR is not emotion-specific (e.g., it can be seen with sadness, anger, joy, frustration, etc.), if we wait only one second we find the feeling his psyche was trying to keep from growing.

At 1:24 we see a Tongue Jut (and crucially, a Loose Tongue Jut) just a second after the above noted Inward Lip Roll. A loose tongue just is Ryan's body language saying, 'I've been/about to be bad' or 'I got caught' (Navarro). Therefore this indicates the strong emotion Ryan was suppressing with the inward lip roll was deceptive in nature (in reference to his statement, "I'm really proud of the bill that we produced". Ryan was NOT proud of the bill.

In this last image, taken during 1:35 just after Speaker Ryan says, "...And what's probably most troubling is the worst is yet to come with Obamacare". This lateral vectoring of the left corner of his mouth indicates Ryan's sincere feelings of in this moment are those of regret.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3887: Why Does Donald Trump Point at People So Often? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3883: Donald Trump Greets Angela Merkel at The White House - The Handshakes and Mistakes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3873: Brie Larson's Eyes, The Bachelor, and the Edge of Consciousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3826: Kellyanne Conway to Chuck Todd, Press Secretary Sean Spicer Gave 'Alternative Facts'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3746: Alicia Keys, Questlove, Krispy Kremes and Connecting the Dots

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3693: Grace VanderWaal Wins America's Got Talent Season Eleven

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3870: Paul Ryan's Response to Donald Trump during President's Speech before The Joint Session of Congress - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Historically, watching any Speaker of the House's responses to any President's speech when the President is of the opposing party - is always very telling (and entertaining). For even when they're trying to suppress their facial expressions, politicians (contrary to popular belief) are only human. Yet when the Speaker and the President are of the same party and we see similar nonverbal signals - such behavior is particularly predictive.

There were several such body language moments during President Trump's speech before The Joint Session of Congress last week. One of these is discussed here.

Beginning at 59:04, President Trump continues, "...The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us. We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts. The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls. And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action. From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears --- inspired by the future, not bound by the failures of the past --- and guided by our vision, not blinded by our doubts..."

Beginning at 59:13, just after Donald Trump says, "The time for trivial fights is behind us" - and then continuously during The President's next three sentences ("We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts. The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls. And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action" [lasting until 59:27]) - Paul Ryan displays a classic and quite pronounced suppressed smile. This smile is quite out of context - and here it's a truncated form of Ryan laughing AT the President, rather than laughing WITH him. In common colloquial, this is often referred to as a "Smirk".

Note also that Speaker Ryan displays "Hard Swallows" during 59:18 and again at 59:20 - indicative of significant anxiety and difficulty maintaining his composure.

Another intriguing nonverbal phenomenon is displayed at 59:27, as The Speaker of The House changes his head tilt from his right to his left. This dynamic of changing one's head tilt is often used as a catalyst in order to assist in curtailing an unwanted expression (e.g., to further suppress the emotion - and very much analogous to "biting one's tongue").

Summary: Paul Ryan was very much suppressing a sincere smile (smirking) at Donald Trump's statement of, "The time for trivial fights is behind us" during the President's Speech to The Joint Session of Congress last week. Paul Ryan's Body Language says, very clearly, that he does NOT believe Donald Trump's 'Trivial Fights' are behind him.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3869: James Clapper regarding Alleged Wiretap of Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3867: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? Emma Stone, Romance and Flirting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3864: Uber's CEO, Travis Kalanick Arguing with an Uber Driver regarding Falling Fares - Escalation v. De-Escalation, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3840: Donald Trump regarding Vladimir Putin: 'We've Got A Lot of Killers. Do You Think Our Country Is So Innocent?'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3669: Jordan Spieth, Bill Murray and the Asymmetrical Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3794: Racist Rant at Jefferson Mall in Louisville



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

This image of President-Elect Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence - was taken on Thursday in the US Capitol.

An important nonverbal guideline is to (almost) never put your hands beneath the table or desk at which you're sitting (An exception for this principle would include; if a person is being reprimanded by their supervisor, if the table/desk is too high, or a person may be relatively short - or other such configurations which are physically awkward. Sometimes it's also best to sit/lean back, in which case their hands/arms wouldn't be on the table/desk [if the meeting is be relatively casual and/or if you're the relative alpha personality in the room]).

However if you're any kind of leader, perceive yourself as a leader, or you want to project the alpha qualities of strength, assertiveness and engagement - your arms and hands should always be on top of the table.

Outside the exceptions of those mentioned above, when a person's arms/hands are beneath a table/desk - the most favorable interpretation is that of significant anxiety. The worst possible interpretation (depending on the other nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage signals with which it's clustered) is clandestine behavior and dishonesty.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3753: Donald Trump in The White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3749: Election Day - Donald Trump Caught on Camera - Making Sure Melania is Voting For Him 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3706: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debates - Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3635: Michelle Obama's DNC Speech and a Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3649: Donald Trump's Endorsement of Paul Ryan - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Last Friday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Donald Trump endorsed Paul Ryan. It's of course common knowledge the two men have many disagreements and different world-views. But what does Republican Candidate for President really thing about the Speaker of the House? What follows is a nonverbal analysis of one very key moment in Trump's endorsement.

Beginning at 1:56, Trump continues, "So, in our shared mission, to make America great again, I support, and endorse, our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan. [Long pause, Audience Applause, Trump displays bilateral "Thumbs up"]. Paul Ryan, good. He's a good man. He's a good man and he's a good guy ...".

At 2:22 just after Trump says, "... Paul Ryan, good. He's a good man ...", Trump displays the facial expression captured in the image immediately above. This is a classic nonverbal combined expression of both Disgust and Regret. Additionally, due to it's very short duration this was an example of a microexpression.

Thus we have showcased by Mr. Trump's less that optimal poker face, a political moment that's occurred countless times: a politician is saying one thing with their verbal language, but something completely different with their nonverbal language. Whenever these two are in disparity - it's the body language and facial expressions which always tell the truth.

Summary: Donald Trump has disgust for Paul Ryan and regrets the political necessity of endorsing him.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3648: Hillary Clinton, “I may have short-circuited”

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3646: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Visas, Citizenship and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3640: Khizr Khan’s DNC Speech & Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3628: Donald & Melania Trump's interview with Matt Lauer Prior to Her Speech at Republican Convention

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3588: Orlando Shooting, Video From Inside Pulse Nightclub

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3506: Jake Gyllenhaal Bombed His Lord of the Rings Audition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3617: President Obama and Speaker Ryan regarding the Dallas Shooting - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the above video President Barack Obama is speaking about the shooting in Dallas on Thursday. Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, is giving a similar speech in the video included below.

Note that both men, who normally use their hands and arms significantly during other speaking events, here use them minimally. 

Although an experience politician, Mr. Ryan has had less tragic occasions at which to speak than has the President. Ryan uses his hands and arms in the beginning of his speech but then rapidly curtails their use to essentially nil. Mr. Obama hardly uses his hands and arms at all. 





During funerals, when speaking about recent death, the receiving of soldiers' remains, and similar events, minimal use of the hands is good body language advice - for it transmits much more reverence and respect for the deceased. This lack of hand and arm gestures also conveys more empathy.
 

During the vast majority of occasions, lack of hand and arm use may very signal suspicion and/or low confidence or emotional discomfort - but not here - not when speaking with respect for the fallen.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3615: Store Owner Abdullah Muflahi Interview regarding the Shooting of Alton Sterling

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3611: Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and a Tattoo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3604: Nigel Farage, Jean-Claude Juncker, The Brexit and "Why Are You Here?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3599: The Brexit, David Cameron announces his Resignation, Protection and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3582: Brock Turner's Dad Draws Outrage of "20 Minutes of Action" - Lack of Empathy and No Remorse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison Their of Wikipedia Profile Photos


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3549: Speaker Paul Ryan's interview with Jake Tapper - "I'm just not ready" to Support Donald Trump - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today Jake Tapper interviewed Paul Ryan about the subject of Donald Trump - the 2016 presumptive republican nominee for President. Speaker Ryan is not at this time endorsing Trump. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

Jake Tapper (Beginning at 1:06): "... But doesn't he have to completely revoke in order to become the man that can unite behind the principles and the policies that you support - doesn't he completely have to say ... that ... he doesn't support the deportation of twelve million undocumented immigrants because you disagree with that? That he doesn't support ..."

Paul Ryan: [over-talking] "No, no, I'm not saying that at all ..."

Tapper: [over-talking] "He doesn't support banning ..."

Ryan: [over-talking] "I, I'm not saying that, I ..."

Tapper: [over-talking] "... all Muslims from entering the United States - because you don't support that?"

Ryan: [over-talking] "Well obvious- ... [tongue-in-cheek to his right side then tongue-in-cheek on his left side] I'm - look - who am I? Ah, Look I'm not saying that he's going to support all my policies ..."

Tapper: [over-talking] "You're the Speaker of The House!... You're the Speaker of The House!"

Ryan: "He ... he won. He won fair and square. He won fair square on his policies ..."

1:34.2

Tongue-in-Cheek
to his right side

1:34.8

Tongue-in-Cheek
to his left side














Tongue-in-cheek nonverbal displays can have different meanings depending upon the other verbals, paralanguage and nonverbal signals with which they're clustered. Here the two back-to-back tongue-in-cheek displays mean "I just won" or "I gotcha" - and in so doing they're showing us a disparity between what Speaker Ryan is thinking-feeling vs. what he is saying. 

Although Ryan once again (later in this same video) has denied that he would personally make a bid for the White House this November, what additional body language signals do you see in this interview which indicate The Speaker of The House knows of a strong plan B the republican leadership have in their collective back pockets?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3548: Reince Priebus at White House Correspondents' Dinner 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3546: Carly Fiorina's and Ted Cruz's Awkward Raised Hand Holding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3411: Donald Trump's Vulgarity, "Schlonged" and Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3400: Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Visual Recall and "Truth or Truth"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3399: Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3347: Paul Ryan, The Speakership, Four Conditions and One Repetitive Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3433: Barack Obama, The State of the Union and Paul Ryan - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Tonight Barack Obama gave his final State of the Union Address. There were, of course, truly thousands of nonverbal signals within this speech. One particularly interesting body language moment wasn't displayed by the President - but by Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

At 0:32 in the above video excerpt, President Obama continues, "... I believe a thriving private sector is the life-blood of our economy. I think there are out-dated regulations that need to be changed. There is red tape that needs to be cut."


The audience then makes what appears to be a bipartisan applause.

In the next few seconds Speaker Ryan displays two quick "Nose Pulls" (aka "Nose Pinches") during 0:47 and 0:48.

Then we see him lean over to get a handkerchief out of his back pocket. Be assured that his decision to (pseudo) wipe his nose was made only because of his nose pull - not due to his nose running. He knows that he shouldn't have touched his face in this manner in such a public forum and the wiping is his psyche's attempt at a ruse. 

This nose pinch/pull is an example of a robust variety of nose-touching. It's a type of alpha up-regulator - and is seen where assertiveness is needed. On some level, the person displaying a nose pull or pinch may feel a level of embarrassment - which is often self-inflicted, by their own words - although here of course, Mr. Ryan's listening. He's (along with others) being "called-out".

During 0:49 we see the Speaker display a clear "Tongue-in-Cheek" nonverbal signal.

In this cluster context this tell indicates Paul Ryan is thinking-feeling, "Gotcha" or "I Just Won". Depending on the nonverbals with which it is clustered, the tongue-in-cheek may have other meanings (What are these?).

In summary, this set of nonverbal signs tells us that Mr. Ryan was in the moment feeling the need to be more assertive and up-regulate his alpha emotional tone within the context of his relatively new role as Speaker of the House - AND he has a specific plan/idea for doing so, wherein he feels a significant political victory. The tongue-in-cheek often thus has a clandestine-plan component. In effect, what he was really taking out of his back pocket (metaphorically) was an ace that he was waiting to deal.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3432: Leonardo DiCaprio reacts to Lady Gaga at Golden Globe Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3329: Robert De Niro Hears Tom Hiddleston's Robert De Niro Impression - The Graham Norton Show 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2352: Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek - Graham Norton Part II 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Barack Obama, The 2015 State of the Union Address Part II & What John Boehner Doesn't Believe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3273: Marco Rubio, The Republican Debate, Monotonous Body Language and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3190: Taylor Swift's Body Language of Feigned Surprise 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3347: Paul Ryan, The Speakership, Four Conditions and One Repetitive Facial Expression (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Tuesday evening, Paul Ryan (R - WI) agreed that he would be willing to accept the position as the United States Speaker of the House contingent on four conditions:

".... Basically I made a few requests for what I think is necessary, and I asked my colleagues, ah, to hear back from them by the end of the week. First, we need to move from an opposition party to being a proposition party. Because we think the nation is on the wrong path, we have a duty to show the right one. Our next speaker has to be a visionary one.  Second - we need to update our House rules so that everyone can be a more effective representative. This is after all, the people’s house. We need to do this as a team. And it needs to include fixes that ensure that we do not experience constant leadership challenges and crisis.  Third - we, as a conference should unify now, and not after a divisive speaker election. And the last point - last point is personal. I cannot and I will not give up my family time [see image below]. I may not ah be on the road as often as previous speakers, but I pledged to try make up for it with more time communicating our vision - our message ...."

It's no secret that Paul Ryan does not want the job as Speaker of the House. It's very difficult to begin with, the republican party is fractured, he very much enjoys his position as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee (many would say this is the second most powerful position in Washington) and Paul Ryan has higher political aspirations. The Speaker of the House is a position such that those who hold it acquire powerful enemies - which would make a future run for the Presidency very difficult.

From a nonverbal point of view, although Paul Ryan repeatedly displayed several key nonverbals during this press conference - the most important one was that of regret. This was particularly prominent when he spoke about his last condition - that of family time.

The image below was captured during 1:11. Note his taught and stretched lips along with a primarily lateral and downward vectoring of the mouth corners. Moreover, the downward tilt of Ryan's head/neck, in this context, is a regret amplifier.

In conclusion, although he may become a skilled and/or respected Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan does not at all want the position and his "willingness" to rise to the occasion comes with substantial regret.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3346: Eddie Murphy Makes Bill Cosby Jokes at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2636: Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Pat Murray reach a Budget Agreement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2145:  Paul Ryan & Joe Biden in Vice Presidential Debate  Post-Debate Analysis on NPR Southern California Public Radio, KPCC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2149:  Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point -  A Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2320:  Estonian Skier Andrus Veerpalu  Denies Performance Enhancing Drugs -  What his Body Language Tells Us 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2215: Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Joke and Hint regarding the 2016 Presidential Race -"Tongue-in-Cheek" Body Language

In the above video, former U.S. Vice Presidential Candidate, Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) alludes to the 2016 Presidential Race. Mr. Ryan's body language exemplifies several "Tongue-in-Cheek" displays at 0:19 (subtle), 0:20 - 0:21 (overt) and again at 0:23 (difficult to see).

The Tongue-in-Cheek nonverbal in this body language context indicates a self-righteousness or smug emotional tone. It is a body language seen when a person, in a specific context, views them self as an Alpha. And although not the case here, depending on the other nonverbals and parlanguage with which it is clustered - it can also be indicative of Telling a lie, "I just won the game" or "I gotcha". In these settings it can be considered a form of "duping delight". Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, the tongue-in-cheek can have other meanings, such as part of a sexual attraction display cluster or occasionally as a pacifying anxiety indicator. Can you tell the difference? Are you sure?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1892: Senator Harry Reid, "That's a Clown Question Bro!" - Tongue in Cheek

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2085: Dina Eastwood - Tongue-in-Cheek Variant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1153: President Obama's Tongue in Cheek

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156: Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner - Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

The most common reason people touch their face is not because of a rash, an allergy or a common cold. The most common cause of Facial Touching (Facial MAP aka Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is anxiety. Certainly there are many reasons for anxiety - but when touching the face, particularly at times of specific point-in-fact statements or when answering factual questions - the probability that deception is being attempted is very significantly elevated. This is even true when everyone knows you're lying - such as a during a joke or obvious hyperbole. The "itching" we feel on portions of our face when a lie is told is very real - it is brought about because of micro neuro-chemical and vascular changes - which in turn occur as a result of the anxiety which arises when a lie is told.

At the Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York last night, both Mitt Romney and President Obama spoke and joked. A good bit of their humor was self-deprecating - but some was at the expense of others. Everyone who follows politics and the events & people being referenced knows the context of these deliberate and comedic lies. Yet sometimes we still glean useful information.

During the 0:13 - 0:15 mark, just after the President Jokes says, " ... Everyone please take your seats otherwise Clint Eastwood will yell at them ...." Obama scratches his nose with his right index finger. Of course Barack knows that Clint won't be hollering - so the source of his anxiety may very well have to do with his poor comedic delivery, what he feels is a poor joke selection by his writing staff or perhaps due to a less than eloquent and impromptu self-editing of the joke (note the President mispronounces Eastwood's last name).

At the 1:23 mark, the President displays a quick nose touch/scratch with the index finger of his left hand just after he says (paraphrased) that he's hoping Andrew Cuomo will someday be President. Barack is in no way hoping this - and the fact that he uses his left, dominant hand in this MAP display is a nonverbal indicator that he feels this is a "bigger lie".

At the 4:54 mark, Obama touches his nose - in a manner nearly identical to the above Cuomo reference - with his left and dominant index finger after he references the Republican Party's Vice Presidential Candidate, " .... but Paul Ryan assured me that we've only been running for two hours and fifty-something minutes ...." - referencing Ryan's earlier fib (and not so small a deception particularly if you're a runner) and lying (by more than an hour) about his (Ryan's) marathon time. Again, by the President using his left and dominant hand in the display of this body language shows us that he believes this to be a "Pants On Fire" lie.

The democratic presidential candidate then touches his right ear with his right index finger at the 5:27 mark when referencing Honey Boo Boo. Similar to the first example regarding Mr. Eastwood, any anxiety he feels here probably is related to joke selection or something similar - and thus a lesser lie-joke from his point-of-view.

The next time you tell a lie, even a small one - most likely your face will itch. Try not to laugh ... but you probably will scratch.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155: Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate - Mitt Romney at Attention & President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence& Acquiescence 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1251: Las Vegas Channel 8 KLAS Interview - Body Language in Tonight's Debate - Evaluation of earlier Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney for the Second Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger During First Debate - An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Analysis # 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

Nonverbal Analysis # 2125: Presidential Debate Body Language - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Nonverbal Analysis # 346: Rick Perry Forgets: 8 Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Detroit - 60 seconds of Oops, Body Language and Empathy

A Nonverbal Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Analysis # 2131: Presidential Debate Highlights - Bush vs. Gore 2000 - Gore's Invasion of Bush's Personal Space

Nonverbal Analysis # 2104: Mitt Romney's Convention Speech - Part II

Nonverbal Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Nonverbal Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space of Candidates 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire: "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

Nonverbal Analysis # 2136: Some Body Language Highlights from First Obama - Romney Presidential Debate in Denver

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - a Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - A Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Joe Biden was more animated than usual in his Vice Presidential debate vs. Paul Ryan - and many speculate this was to compensate for President Barack Obama's lackluster performance the week before. However, the index finger (forefinger) double point is a nonverbal which should never be displayed in a political debate. A single hand point is an alienating and universally offensive body language gesture. While we do allow politicians a somewhat greater latitude here, they should use the single forefinger point vary sparingly - or not at all. The double point - which Biden pulled out last Thursday - should only be used at events reserved for one's political base. 

Joe Biden lost votes with this gesture.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1224: Mitt Romney's Two Handed Index Finger Point

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777: Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2148: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan and the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" in the Vice Presidential Debate

During the 0:51 - 0:54 segment of this CNN video regarding last Thursdays U.S.Vice Presidential Debate, Rep. Paul Ryan exhibits a classic nonverbal known as a "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW)" as he says, " ....Mr. Vice President, I know, Mr. Vice President, I know you're under a lot of duress to make up for lost ground ... " The self-righteous head wiggle is a rapid side-to-side motion of the head very often seen simultaneously with a definitive verbal statement. Often the SRHW is accompanied by a similar back-and-forth motion of the torso and/or jaw. Here we also see a very slight forward motion to the head - this movement will often be more pronounced - and usually is when there is a more hierarchical scenario present (Biden of course currently out-ranks Ryan). When an additional backward motion (with head/neck and/or torso) is seen with the SRHW - it's a body language signal that another emotion co-exists - incredulity.

The self-righteous head wiggle tends to be seen with strong alpha personalities in settings where those displaying it feel the need to be assertive. Ryan's palm down illustrator further amplifies his assertive stance (0:48 - 0:54) - although his finger-open configuration "softens" this body language a good amount. The SRHW, like 99.9+% of all body language, is initiated and performed subconsciously. And rarely do emotions exist in isolation - with the SRHW look for the additional negative emotions overlaying the self-righteousness - such as anger, contempt, disgust and, as mentioned above, incredulity. Its display should be strongly avoided when rapport is a goal - for it will surely sabotage agreements and burn bridges.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2102: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and the Conventional Steeple vs. Basketball Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2113: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2130: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Helping Syria - Interview with Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1552: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & The Buffett Rule

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2147: Las Vegas Channel 13 TV, Expert Commentary - Biden vs. Ryan, Vice Presidential Debate

Had the pleasure of giving some Nonverbal Communication expert commentary regarding last Thursday's Vice Presidential Debate. Both V.P. Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan have a lot of room for improvement in their body language skill. Link here for Las Vegas Channel 13 (KTNV - ABC) interview. There's a lot more to say regarding the nonverbals of this debate.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

Nonverbal Analysis # 2145: Paul Ryan & Joe Biden in Vice Presidential Debate - Post Debate Analysis on NPR - Southern California Public Radio, KPCC

Nonverbal Analysis # 2101: Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's Body Language at Republican National Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC, Southern California Public Radio

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