Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3294: Ana Ivanovic, Lip Biting, the U.S. Open and Body Language (PHOTOS)

We can say, "Those pepperoncinis are hot" or "That woman is hot" or "It's was hot in Phoenix today" or "Donald Trump's candidacy is a hot topic" - these all contain the word "hot" - which although are all spelled the same and pronounced the same - have wholly different meanings. Any young teen could discern these various homonyms because of the context their respective sentences give them. Body language signals also very often have multiple meanings - depending on the other nonverbal signs with which they are clustered. Lip biting is but one example of this nonverbal phenomenon.

In this image we see Ana Ivanovic, currently 7th in WTA women's singles rankings. Today - the first day of the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, this Serbian was upset by Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova (6-3, 3-6, 6-3). Note in this image Ms. Ivanovic is biting her bottom lip. In this context it's indicative of some anxiety (although not excessive) as well as very concentrated, focused thought. Intriguingly, within the realm of tennis, lip biting is almost never seen during a serve - essentially only during a return.

As with the "hot" homonym exampled above (and in a non-tennis setting) when Lip Biting is accompanied by a different set of facial and body expressions - it can be indicative of varied meanings such as - anger, anxiety, focused thought, sadness, embarrassment, mischievousness, frustration, vulnerability and even sexual arousal. Yet without knowing and recognizing all the words in a nonverbal sentence, most people often have no idea how to color the emotional nuance of the moment.

Here Heather Watson (Great Britain) is returning to Lauren Davis (United States). Watson lost to the match, 7-6, 7-6.

Canadian Milos Raonic - in another lip-biting return defeated Tim Smyczek (U.S.), 6-4, 7-6 (8), 6-1.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2448:  Sabine Lisicki Post Match Interview  After Defeating Serena Williams  Top Teeth Biting Lower Lip & Sincere Smiles 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3259: Barack Obama responds to Mike Huckabee's Holocaust Reference 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3005: Barack Obama, "I would enjoy having some Kentucky Bourbon with Mitch McConnell" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2379: Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2254: John Boehner's Speech Today - One Major Body Language Improvement the U.S. Speaker of the House Should Make 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1829: Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment,  Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting & Sincerity Quotients 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2875: Eugenie Bouchard, Wimbledon and Tongues - Body Language Nuance (PHOTOS)

Congratulations to Eugenie Bouchard just became the first Canadian, woman or man, to reach the finals of a Grand-Slam singles. Earlier today she lost 6-3, 6-0 to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon.

These two images of Ms. Bouchard are of course similar - yet different. It is a fundamental premise when interpreting body language, signals must not be evaluated in isolation.

When the tongue is projected straight out in what is commonly termed a tongue jut (although not always visible as in the image above, it is usually gently pressed on by the teeth) and depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered - can indicate, "I've been bad", "I've been foolish", "I just got away with something", "I got caught" as well as a form of a self-depreciation/humility expression and even excitement. 

A tongue out to the side will indicate intense focus and concentration. Very often there is an intent that has a physical component about which is to be carried through upon. In a business-negotiation this can be seen in the context of a disparity between what is said and what is (clandestinely) intended.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2874: Truck Driver Calls Out Cop for Speeding and Talking on Cell Phone

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean? 

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

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Negotiation Secret # 591: A Classic Tell - Tongue, Eyes, Brow and Forehead

David Moyes is the current Manager of Football Club Everton in Liverpool. This particular facial expression (note tongue, eyes, brow and forehead) is highly characteristic with intense focused effort - often but not always a physical effort - and concentration. As a Manager, Mr. Moyes is on the sidelines in this photo and his concentration is directed at his team. Since he is a former player though, this display demonstrates the physical empathy he feels toward his players' efforts. It's fascinating when you see this displayed by a member of a jury.

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