There are many variations of fake/feigned/social ‘smiles’. Vivek Ramaswamy frequently displays one of these in particularly telling.
During the above interview with Mehdi Hasan last week, Ramaswamy displayed this false and deceptive ‘smile’ multiple times. Note the above image, displaying an example captured during the 20:06 time maker in the following video:
Ramaswamy's bottom teeth are showing. When a sincere smile is being displayed, the lower teeth are almost always never visible. There are some exceptions however.
Bottom teeth may be visible during sincere smiles if:
• Crescendoing to or Decrescendoing from sincere laughter
• You're taller than the other person (physical downward angle)
• Elevated camera angle (looking downward)
• The person is flexing/tilting their head/neck forward
• They have dental or jaw abnormalities
Vivek Ramaswamy is not laughing, nor is this suppressed laughter. However, this assumption does fool a lot of people and it's the core reason why this manipulative behavior often works.
The camera angle is also level with his central face. Nor does Ramaswamy have any dental or jaw abnormalities.
Vivek Ramaswamy is also tilting his head/neck backward, not forward. Tilting one's head backward makes teeth even less visible — and this speaks to the extreme degree of the falseness of this expression.
Vivek Ramaswamy frequently tilts his head backward while listening or speaking. With the exception of a neck injury/problem or relatively rare ophthalmic abnormalities, this configuration indicates arrogance and condescending emotional tones.
Vivek Ramaswamy also juts his jaw forward — during his speech (when he's being particularly forceful in his opinion — which is often, and a sign of an adrenaline surge) — but also during these feigned smiles.
During sincere smiling (or sincere laughing) the jaw moves in the *opposite direction* — it retracts backward, rather than projecting forward. Ramaswamy's jaw configuration is completely incongruent with sincere smiling (or any feelings of joy-happiness).
SUMMARY: This feigned smile of Vivek Ramaswamy is one of his common default expressions. But he's faking it. This is not a sincere smile. When we see this type displayed frequently, it's strongly correlated with manipulative individuals.
All individuals, businesses, and organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills and nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence, please email me at: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com
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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts.
From a nonverbal perspective, one profound warning signal of insincerity is a "smile" (a feigned smile) that's asymmetrical - particularly when it's displayed chronically. One of Lauer's common go-to expressions is pictured in two examples here.
While sincere smiles can begin asymmetrically, they will then
crescendo into symmetry and project other fundamental characteristics of
true joy-happiness. Suppressed sincere smiles can also sometimes be
curbed in a one-sided manner - but again, such attempts at stifling
sincere smiles will also display the required facial signals.
To
nuance one of Matt Lauer's default expressions even further - one side
of his mouth (typically his right) vectors upward - while the other
mouth corner is directed down (usually his left). At best this
expression signals sarcasm - but very often it's outright duplicitous.
If you see this type of feigned smile directed at you, take heed - for,
with high probability, the person making this face has thoughts and
emotions which are in direct contradiction to what they're saying
verbally.
The photo above (and close-up below) show Chuck Schumer and Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Although there's no other images or video of this moment, we can glean a good amount of information.
In this particular instant, Senator Schumer is not looking President Trump in the eye - rather just above his mouth. However, if we had a video of this moment, we would still see this same pattern over a longer period. It's very common - and in fact a human default - that unless there is significant intimacy, severe anger/rage, or impending physical violence - when faces are this close, direct eye contact is very short-lived. If the two men were, instead, standing four or five feet apart, eye contact would not be nearly so emotionally uncomfortable.
The design of Senator Schumer's reading glasses necessitates him looking over the top of them when he's not reading or performing a task in a similar direction and distance. A nonverbal repercussion of this is that looking over the top of such glasses projects patronizing emotions toward the recipient.
Moreover, when looking over the top of glasses, although it's not necessary - very often the forehead muscles are simultaneously contracted and elevated across the entire width. This also results in upward vectoring the eyebrows. Such forehead-eyebrow elevation is exactly what Senator Schumer is doing here. Depending on the other nonverbal signals - a contracted forehead also commonly projects feelings of doubt and incredulity. And although rarely desired, these emotions often are what the other person feels.
President Trump is defaulting to one of his common nonverbal behaviors - an invasion of personal space via a "Pseudo-Hug" with Senator Schumer. Trump is grabbing Schumer's right arm just above the elbow and he's gripping the left side of the base of Schumer's neck and inner (medial) shoulder. If true affection is not established, such personal space invasion doesn't build rapport - rather it destroys it. Many people are blind to this faux pas and thus it becomes a long-term pattern/violation.
Notice Chuck Schumer is pointing his right index finger at Donald Trump while the rest of his hand is probably configured in a fist - only a few inches from Trump's upper chest/neck. Because we don't have video, we can't see any motion in this moment, however the majority of times this gesture (illustrator) is accompanied by an up-and-down shaking movement. This gesture is known as a "Finger-Point-Hand-Chop". It's a hyper-alpha, aggressive, and nonverbal dynamic which here, carries even greater weight because Schumer is so close to Trump and using his dominant hand.
We cannot see much of Donald Trump's face, however, this is not a sincere smile. Although his eyes are partially closed, the President's mid-face is tightened in a manner consistent with a very common form of pseudo-smile - that of a "Disgust-Smile". His jaw (mandible) is also jutting forward - which is not consistent with a sincere smile, but rather with adrenaline surges associated with negative emotions.
Summary: This Oval Office moment between Senator Schumer and President Trump is not at all collegiality or friendliness as some have implied - but rather one of marginal tolerance, poorly feigned affection, and push back.
While we may never know what Donald Trump meant by "covfefe" in his tweet last night - the meaning of his body language in the moment above (close-up image below) is not up for debate.
Although his hair obscures a good share of his forehead, we can still see that his central forehead is contracted and drawn upward (an "elevated CFC").
Crucially, if a CFC is displayed, particularly an elevated CFC, one should immediately evaluate the status of the mouth. Note Trump's mouth is configured in a false smile. It's an act. Its overt insincerity is betrayed by the corners of his mouth vectored primarily laterally (rather than up) as well as its asymmetrical shape.
Whenever a CFC is seen in the presence of a "smile" - the "smile" always false - always insincere, and thus, with this cluster, the feelings being experienced in that moment fit into one of the following three (often overlapping) emotions:
Notice also, Trump's head and neck are contracted backward together with a simultaneous downward neck tilting (causing a "bunching up" of neck tissue and giving him a "double chin"). This is a signal of disbelief, and is rarely seen in isolation. Here it acts as a disbelief amplifier.
Summary: Whenever the Central Forehead is Contracted accompanied by a "smile" - the "smile" is always insincere - and indicates disbelief, arrogance, and/or contempt. When observed frequently, this behavior has a very high correlation with a sociopathic personality.
Question: Is Trump 'thankful' for any Anthony Weiner-related scandals and possible connections with Hillary Clinton? Answer: Yes.
Question: When people are thankful, do they sometimes smile. Answer: Often.
Question: Is Trump smiling as he professes this new-found thank you to Anthony Weiner? Answer: No (but many will mistake it for one).
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial segment of the above mentioned event.
Many nonverbal novices (and most otherwise socially adept professionals) will confuse subtle (or even moderate) contempt for a partial smile. They couldn't be more wrong.
In the image above (captured during 0:09), Mr. Trump's eyebrows lowering, his eyelids are partially closed, the left corner of his mouth is beginning to be pulled up and laterally - along with a similar vectoring (as well as tightening) of the left portion of his "mustache area" (region between upper lip and nose regardless of the presence of facial hair or gender).
It's absolutely true that during a sincere smile, there is always (a sometimes subtle but most of the time not-so-subtle) partial eyelid closure. Sometimes (particularly when punctuated with sincere laughter) the eyelid closure may be momentarily complete. In the above image however, Mr. Trump's eyelid closure (0:10.2) is not accompanied by an upward movement of the cheek muscles (which is required with all sincere smiles). This variety of eyelid closure involves almost exclusively Trump's upper eyelids. This is but one (but very important) signal that Trump's smile is insincere.
Note the furrow between the left corner of Donald Trump's mouth running up to the left lateral portion of his nose. This is termed the "nasolabial fold". Its relative prominence on Trump's left is also indicative of contempt (as is the further tightening of his left mustache area).
In this last image (0:10.8), Trump's mouth component of his contempt is slightly more developed. His partial eyelid (as well as his complete eyelid closure above) in this context are examples of contempt amplifiers (eyelid closure of any degree is not required during contempt displays - but it does augment the baseline expression and emotion).
Summary: This is an excellent example of a subtle contempt display. Moreover its presence during a statement of a "thank you" is outstanding example of a different variety - this one of a nonverbal expression contradicting a verbal expression. Whenever simultaneous verbal and a nonverbal messages are in disagreement - it's the nonverbal one which 'speaks' the truth.
These are the two primary profile photos of Hillary Clinton and
Donald Trump currently appearing on their respective Wikipedia pages. Of
course with any given person having a significant public following,
Wikipedia is the first or second most-viewed online source. And although
it's primarily an open-source platform, editing of the Wikipedia pages
of such higher level biographical pages is limited. There are a fair
number of others pictures on each of the 2016 Presidential Candidates'
pages - however these two are at the top, and thus by far are the
most-viewed pics. Contrasting these two images, which have been almost surely
vetted by the candidates - is instructive and insightful nonverbal
exercise.
Note here that each image is magnified to
the same width for the purpose of this post (with slightly different heights), however the resolution on Donald Trump's original image was significantly lower.
Hillary
Clinton's image is posed and taken in a studio whereas Donald Trump's photo
was taken at a live event (a town hall meeting at Pinkerton Academy,
Derry, New Hampshire in August of 2015).
Secretary Clinton's expression is that of a fairly good "Social Smile" - however it's NOT a sincere smile.
The corners of her mouth are pulled primarily upwards (with only the
upper teeth visible) - and her cheeks also are (mostly) congruent with this
change. Her forehead also displays the necessary requirement of being
relaxed. So far so good - so it's a sincere smile?- NO. Look carefully at Hillary's eyes - for they are NOT partially closed - consistent with normal baseline. On the contrary - they are opened slightly (but very significantly) wider than baseline. If one looks at her lower eyelids - there are not the primary and temporary, concave-up furrows present - rather there are several little furrows - some of which are continuous with the "crows feet" at the lateral portion of each eye. This is the reason, when one is assessing a smile, NEVER use the presence of crows feet as a barometer for sincerity (as is sometimes, though erroneously suggested).
TAKE HOME POINT:
If Mrs. Clinton had had a dominant, evanescent concave-up furrow on
each of her lower eyelids (and the rest of her face was unchanged) - then her
smile would have been a sincere smile of joy-happiness (Duchenne Smile) rather than the nice, but very posed, Social Smile.
Donald Trump's expression is certainly not a smile.
His head and torso are tiled away from the person at whom he is looking - and his head is also slightly rotated. We don't look directly at those whom we don't like, don't respect and/or don't believe.
His downward turned mouth corners along with a mild-to-moderate pout (primarily of his lower lip) is, for him, a very common nonverbal mouth display - perhaps his most frequent.
Note also his partially closed eyelids - along with his left eyebrow being raised.
TAKE HOME POINT: This nonverbal cluster present in Mr. Trump's image projects his feelings of doubt/incredulity along with a mild level of dislike and critical evaluation for the person(s) at whom he's looking - and/or their ideas/opinions/proposals, etc., being voiced.
This image is an example of Donald Trump's most common variation of a Social Smile. It is NOT a sincere one. Mr. Trump displays a sincere smile of joy-happiness (Duchenne Smile) on exceedingly rare occasions. To thin-slice this particular expression (which Trump projects in place of a smile) a bit further - the primary emotion being felt (and thus transmitted) here is Disgust.
Some people may say, "That's just the way Trump smiles." Wrong. This is a ruse - and anything but sincere. It's also important to note that there are many - and more palatable types of social smiles.
What is your "go-to" social smile? Can you smile sincerely "on-demand"? Are you able to readily differentiate sincere smiles from the many variants of insincere smiles?
Katie Holmes was recently a guest on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Although Ms. Holmes is a skilled actress, when she's "just being Katie" and not "in character", she's no better than average at suppressing her anxiety. A particular body language example of this behavior is examined below.
Holmes: This year, um, no, [nervous laugh] I, I di -, I was doing a cooking class with my - ch, child.
Fallon: How lame!
Holmes: I know!
Fallon: Get out!
Holmes: I know!
Fallon, Come on!
Holmes: No, no! Then we went, then we went to the museum - and then I s-, I like, right before the halftime show, I was like [knocks 5 times on Jimmy's desk] to my friend's apartment, I'm like, lemmie in, lemmie in, lemmie! - 'cause I knew Beyoncé was about to come up...."
From 0:14 through 0:21, Katie twists her ring on her right ring finger while also sliding it partially up and down.
Note that although Katie is an accomplished actor - her smile is a false one. We discern this because of her prominent display of her lower teeth.
Her fake smile is a conscious, forced behavior - while her manipulation of her ring occurs at a subconscious level. It's important to note that this does NOT indicate Katie Holmes overall personality is insincere - however in this particular moment, her smile is indeed forced and thus insincere.
Whenever a consciously initiated nonverbal signal (e.g., a false smile) is seen simultaneously with a subconsciously driven one (e.g., the twisting and sliding of her ring) - always look to the unconscious body language in order to tell the true thought-emotions.
Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy were guests recently on The Graham Norton Show. Talk shows (particularly ones like Norton's, where the questions tend to be more embarrassing) are fantastic forums in which to study body language - for although actors are paid to, in effect, lie to us (when they are acting) - when they are not "in character", they are equal to us non-actors when it comes to "leaking" their true thought-emotions - if you're knowledgeable of nonverbal nuance.
Radcliffe is particularly mortal when it comes to telling us what he's really thinking-feeling. Below are discussed two very telling, yet often overlooked nonverbal signals.
Norton (beginning at 0:01): "We know, Daniel Radcliffe, you have a reputation for being lovely with fans, very sweet, you give your time, very, freely, to them. But, I read with interest, that you are starting to toughen up now - you're being a little more discerning, with your fans."
Radcliffe: "Ummm..."
[audience laughter as Radcliffe scratches his lower leg and slightly falsely adjusts his sock]
Norton: "Daniel?"
Radcliffe: "What do you mean? Wha -, what do you mean?"
Scratching at one's sock/lower leg is a general anxiety indicator. Despite being on camera and stage very often, Daniel Radcliffe's anxiety is significant.
Although he appears to pull up his sock at the very end of his scratch, this is not a true "false sock adjust" signal. When a man or boy (although occasionally a woman or girl) bends over and pulls-up one or both socks - it also indicates some level of anxiety - but more importantly the false sock adjustdemonstrates an up-regulation of alpha qualities. The psyche is dialing down the beta while dialing-up the alpha characteristics. It's crucial to note that the false sock adjust (typically a pulling-up of the sock) has very little, if any scratching associated with it.
Beginning at 1:37, Norton continues: "But, but apparently, Rupert Grint is even worse than you."
Radcliffe: "Rupert - I don't know the details of this at all - but Rupert ended up at somebody's house one night - just from like, continuing to say, 'Yes' to things."
McAvoy's facial expression response is a classic one of incredulity. Note this is what occurred immediately after Radcliffe's statement regarding Rupert Grint. McAvoy's central forehead is contracted (CFC) along with his inner eyebrows being elevated. Of profound importance here is his mouth is displaying a partial (false) smile. This facial cluster is one of the classic expressions of disbelief (Do you know the others?). Depending on the additional nonverbals with which it is clustered, this expression can also indicate what other emotions?
After four and a half years of the Syrian Civil War which is rapidly escalating with multiple actors, Bashar al-Assad has found a stronger ally in Vladimir Putin. Beginning on 30 September 2015, Russian planes began bombing al-Assad's opponents. And while initially, Putin claimed the purpose of these attacks were to fight ISIS, the Russian President has since admitted his priority of strengthening al-Assad.
Bashar al-Assad's "smile" is a false one (AKA a pseudo-smile, fake smile or social smile) and more importantly, in this particular flavor contains a significant component of disgust.
In addition, Putin's body is turned 90 degrees away from where it should be. Vladimir is facing the camera when he should be looking at al-Assad. In order to build rapport - and show respect, your feet, hips, torso, head and eyes must be pointed at the person whose hand you're shaking. Vladimir's behavior here is highly unusual - even for a head-of-state, posed greeting.
In summary, President Putin's body language is tremendously disrespectful toward the Bashar al-Assad and very much validates the assertion of many - that Putin is using the Syrian President and conflict in order to re-assert himself on the World stage and hold onto Russia's only strong ally in the Middle East.
From a nonverbal communication perspective, Walter Palmer gives us a very public example of an insincere smile. Now, the man is a Dentist, so perhaps he wants to show off his own teeth. Yet because of his presumably detailed knowledge of the human mouth and its surrounding and associated physiology - he should absolutely know that his smile, although a pretty good social smile (aka false smile, fake smile or pseudo-smile) - it is indeed INSINCERE.
If we look closely at Walter Palmer's face we see his eyes are partially closed - which is required for a smile to be sincere (aka Duchenne Smile). Yet all partially closed eyelids are not the same. Upon closer scrutiny we can see that although there is horizontal wrinkling/creases of his lower eyelids, there is a lack of the deeper concave-up furrows which are transiently seen and are required in the context of a sincere smile (with a possible exception of his right eye on the lower image). Moreover, even if such deeper concave-up furrows were present, the configuration of the Minnesota Dentist's mouth negates any possibility of sincerity.
Note the bias toward lateral vectoring of Palmer's mouth corners. Such primarily sideways movement certainly allows increased visibility of more teeth - but the relative lack of mouth upward movement is crucial and precludes sincerity. Again, this is a pretty fair social smile. Had this controversy concerning the apparent illegal killing of Cecil the Lion never occurred, most would look at this picture and say to themselves, "This looks like a fairly friendly guy".
Indeed, those who have "a good smile" are usually envied and - all other things equal - considered more attractive and friendlier. Additionally, those who project good social smiles when needed (e.g., posed professional photos and in advertising) are common. Yet to slice this nonverbal nuance even thinner, others who display an insincere smile in many contexts - and relatively chronically - are suspects for being sociopaths. Such behavior is by definition chronically insincere. These are but two photos of Walter Palmer (statistically, a small sample size) are posed for advertising (e.g., not candid, daily, random moments).
What is your gut reaction to Palmer's smile now that you know what he has done? Is your assessment of his sincerity influenced by whether you are sympathetic to wildlife - or you're a hunting enthusiast? It should NOT be. There is objective value to learning body language. It's a profoundly valuable objectivity tool which, when learned and used accurately, allows for much greater nonpartisan evaluations, when as human beings we all are inherently biased the vast majority of the time.
