Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3383: Barack Obama and Francois Hollande Shake Hands - Body Language (PHOTOS)

Today François Hollande was a guest of Barack Obama. The French President is visiting Washington D.C. in an effort to build a stronger coalition in the fight against Daesh (aka Islamic State, ISIL, ISIS). Yesterday he met with David Cameron, Wednesday he will meet with Angela Merkel - and on Thursday the Mr. Hollande will meet with Vladimir Putin.

In the above image, Hollande and Obama are shown in a Handshake-Hug Hybrid. Note that although the two men are touching (and thus within each other's personal space - and more specifically, their intimate space) - and of course their heads are also quite close together - in contrast, their eyes are directed away from the other man.

The vast majority of the time - when we enter another person's personal space, our gaze naturally and rapidly averts. One exception to this strong tendency is with close family members or with others for whom we have considerable affection. Can you name any other nonverbal scenarios where this rule doesn't apply?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3382: Donald Trump's Mask

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2354: Rutgers' Basketball Coach Mike Rice - Body Language of Averting Gaze 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2678: French President François Hollande, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet - Of Affairs, Affection and Body Language Tells  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2935: David Cameron and ISIL-ISIS-IS, Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3325: Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, Russian Soil and Confidence Levels  
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3105: Joe Biden, Ashton Carter & Stephanie Carter - Vice President Encroaches into New Defense Secretary's Wife's Intimate Space (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ashton Carter was sworn in earlier today as the United States Secretary of Defense, replacing Chuck Hagel.

During the swearing-in ceremony, when Secretary Carter was speaking, Joe Biden put both of his hands on Stephanie Carter's shoulders and whispered into her right ear.

Watching the above video will alarm the vast majority of people. Encroaching into another person's personal space - indeed here into Stephanie Carter's intimate space sets off alarm bells. Among other things, such behavior strongly suggests disorders of empathy. Social violations of space are intimidating - and are thus used by some in power as a deliberate tactic - although with many it's subconsciously initiated. Yet the Vice President commits this nonverbal faux pas so frequently that we should consider other possibilities.

The two most common causes of those who violate the rules of proxemics are Narcissistic Personality Disorder as well as some within Autism Spectrum. Make a strong effort to separate yourself from the bias of politics. Do you think the V.P. is a narcissist? Does he exhibit any signs consistent with high-functioning autism such as Asperger Syndrome?

It's also important to note that the nonverbal signal on Mrs. Carter's face indicates contempt.










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3104: 2016 Presidential Candidate Hopeful Gov. Scott Walker - and a Body Language Signal which a Leader should NEVER adopt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2148: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan and the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" in the Vice Presidential Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2981: Wendy Davis, the Governor of Texas, Book Covers and Projecting the Wrong Emotions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2192:  Senator Elect Ted Cruz - "So by the third debate, I’m pretty certain  Mitt Romney actually French-kissed Barack Obama" A Body Language Red Flag 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016 

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