Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3128: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Climbs Kilimanjaro - The Graham Norton Show - Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression with Amplifier - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (formerly Cheryl Cole) was recently a guest on The Graham Norton Show. And as with most talk show appearances, it was chock-full of great body language teaching moments - and one in particular (with an amplifier) is highlighted here as she describing her training for her Mount Kilimanjaro climb.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a nonverbal amplifier is just what it sounds - highlighting and giving emphasis to a primary nonverbal. It's often helpful to think of it as similar to an adverb with the written or spoken word.

Here the primary body language is the facial configuration of a "Rationalization-Rapport-Empathy-Expression" (abbreviated R2E2). During the segment 1:54 to 1:57 we see Ms. Fernandez-Versini display the R2E2. Many nonverbal novices will confuse this expression with the facial configuration for disgust or contempt - yet they are vastly different emotions (Do you know how to differentiate them?). The R2E2 is used when the speaker is trying to rationalize and/or attempting to get the listener to co-rationalize their behavior, opinions, ideas, actions, etc. The desire for empathy is strong and rapport with the listener is being sought when the R2E2 is being expressed.

Often but not always, the rate and pitch of the speech both increase coincident with the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression - which act as accentuators. In this particular example with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, these vocal changes are subtle to absent - yet she does have another amplifier - that of the forward sweeping motion (Forward Hand Sweep) with her arms/hands in a display of hyperbolic irony (for about one second during 1:54, see image below and video above). There are other varieties of nonverbal amplifiers as well - can you describe any?

We all display the R2E2 from time to time, yet when you see this expression chronically what should it make you think? How about excessively within one conversation?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3127: Hillary Clinton's Press Conference and a Body Language Down-regulator of Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2193:  Keira Knightley interview re: "Anna Karenina" -  Body Language of "R2E2" Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2341:  Angela Bassett Interview -  Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression  R2E2, Body Language & "Olympus has Fallen"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2097: Mitt Romney's "No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate" defense - Body Language of Rationalization, Rapport and Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2312: Bruce Willis' Body Language - Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman   

1:54

R2E2 with
Forward Hand Sweep














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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3127: Hillary Clinton's Press Conference and a Body Language Down-regulator of Sincerity (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Hillary Clinton gave a press conference this past Tuesday at the United Nations. The former First Lady and Secretary of State addressed several issues, including the recent letter of 47 U.S. Senators to the Iranian government as well as her own State Department email controversy.

It's important to reemphasize that the purpose of this website is as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication - not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

It has been noted that Ms. Clinton often has trouble connecting with the electorate - and therein lies her highest hurdle on her road to a 2016 Presidential election victory. Anyone running for office often forgets (if they ever knew to begin with) that deciding for whom to vote is primarily an emotional process. Yet the vast majority of politicians (or sales professionals or leaders of any type, etc.) approach it as if it is a logical process. This is a profound mistake.

Whenever connecting with anyone emotionally - sincerity is an absolute prerequisite. Without it, people may hear what you say - but they won't believe you. When a person opens their eyes widely too often or out of context - among other things, it leaves us feeling a disparity between what is said vs. the speaker's true thought-feelings - thus INSINCERITY. 

This excessive opening of the eyelids nearly always is accompanied by a similar over-use of the forehead muscles. These nonverbals are analogous to when most young children, when they first enter into the creative writing process, will often use multiple exclamation points at the end of a sentence when emphasis is desired. Hopefully, children will quickly learn that if there is a good choice of words, then of course, only one exclamation point is needed (if any). When we over-use nonverbal signals - or use them even slightly out of context - they have a completely different "feel" to those who see them.

When it comes to the over frequently or out of context use of more widely opened eyelids, or a similarly over-contracted forehead - these will most often project insincerity. Excessively opened eyes can also transmit patronizing or condescending emotions - but also that of anger/rage, fear or surprise (none of which will get you votes).

What additional non-psychological, non-political factor is also playing a partial role with Ms. Clinton's excessive eyelid opening?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3126: Congressman Aaron Schock and allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars and campaign funds

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2564: Hillary Clinton Stumping for Terry McAuliffe ... but Did She Hint at Running in 2016?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1923:  Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government -  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523:  Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency -  Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2415: Yanira Maldonado released from Mexican Jail - What's Up with her Eyes? Atypical Body Language of White & Wide Eyes

 3:54

4:05

5:50

6:12













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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3126: Congressman Aaron Schock and allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars and campaign funds (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

UPDATE: ARRON SCHOCK HAS RESIGNED FROM CONGRESS (EFFECTIVE 31 MARCH 2015) -
3 DAYS AFTER THIS ORIGINAL POST

Congressman Aaron Schock (R - Illinois) has be accused of misuse of campaign funds as well as tax dollars. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of two recent interviews.

0:11 -  

Inward Lip Roll (ILR)

This is one way the psyche suppresses an inward crescendo and outer expression of emotions when they're far from emotional baseline

0:12

Tightened horizontal thin lips of anger
and tightening of his mustache area along with nostril flaring as well as more tightening of lower eyelids. His eyebrows are vectored downward. Aaron Schock's nonverbal cluster signifies anger in this moment.

0:15

Elevated CFC with this mouth configuration signify fear (subtle mouth component here)

0:23

Multiple Hard Swallows with several Extended Blinks

This Nonverbal Pairing (cluster) is indicative of fear

2:22

Subtle contempt for CNN  reporter Drew Griffin

2:23

Thinned, horizontal lips of anger with his central (inner) eyebrows directed downward and lower lids tightened with nostril flared - more anger

2:23.5

A Tongue Jut immediately
as he looks away indicates "I've been bad" and "I got caught" - this is a display of self-deprecation

 2:23.8

Looks further away

Inward Lip Roll with tightening of his "mustache area", flaring of his nostrils, downward vectored eyebrows and lower lid tension all indicate he is feeling, yet not trying to express significant anger in this moment

 2:29

Another multiple pairing of hard swallows with prolonged eyelid closures

He is in Fear

2:31

Another Tongue Jut signifying his own belief that he's been caught and guilty of bad behavior 

2:40

The lack of forehead contraction in a patchy manner is significant for Botox treatments in this 33 year-old male congressmen overly concerned with image. This practice is consistent with him posing with his shirt off for magazine covers and is also an analog of his lavish spending on his Congressional Office interior decorating mimicking a television show (Downton Abbey). 

Another tongue jut at 3:09 just after CNN reporter Drew Griffin asks, ".... was it appropriate to be spending $27,000 on a professional photographer? ....".

Congressman Schock believes he's been bad and has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

2:19

Disgust with Anger

2:31

Inward Lip Roll (ILR) and mustache area tightening with flared nostrils indicate a suppression of anger

3:33

As Congressman Schock is chauffeured away, he once more displays thin lips of anger










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3125: Vladimir Putin, Suppressed Smiling & Blushing - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3081: More Bill Belichick Body Language Deception Deflategate Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3083: Marshawn Lynch Interview, "I'm just here so I won't get fined"

Negotiation Secret No.146: Anthony Weiner's Inward Lip Roll

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3125: Vladimir Putin, Suppressed Smiling & Blushing - Body Language (PHOTOS)

Rumor has it in Russia that Vladimir Putin is under the weather. Some have even said the Russian President is dead. It's been eight days since he's been seen in public and he's cancelled a trip to Kazakhstan as well as multiple appearances. The Kremlin appears also to be releasing photos from earlier events, presumably to give the impression that all is well.

The context of the above image is not known, yet we can tell a good bit about the former KGB agent's thought-emotions in this moment. Mr. Putin is sporting a sincere, yet suppressed smile with:

• Relaxed (non-contracted) forehead
• Eyelids partially closed
• Concave-up furrows in the lower eyelids
• Upwardly-vectored cheek contractions
• Suppressed mouth smile with no teeth exposed

Another signal we see here is Vladimir is blushing. When blushing is seen in the context of a sincere smile - even a suppressed one - the blushing acts as a sincerity amplifier. Embarrassment - yes, most know this, but all but a few are aware that blushing in this context is a signal of sincerity.

Note also the dilated vein over Mr. Putin's left temple. Here this is an indicator of a subconscious variation of a Valsalva-like maneuver (increased intra-thoracic pressure) and thus in this setting it's a signal of significant anxiety. 

Several points here are of paramount importance:

• A person can be smiling sincerely for atypical or unethical reasons
• Sincere smiles need not have any blushing component
• Blushing can certainly indicate and overlaps other emotions (Embarrassment, dishonesty, etc...)
• Often, the more the person tries to suppress a sincere smile, the more they blush

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3091: Vladimir Putin has Asperger's Syndrome according to Pentagon Report - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3117: Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Putin - What Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3025: Vladimir Putin, Alpha Hand Signals and "The Claw"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3048: Vladimir Putin's Press Conference, 18 December 2014, Economic Instability and Low Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3016: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and a Suppressed yet Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3020: Google Celebrates Sister Corita Kent's Birthday - Recognizing a Sincere yet Suppressed Smile - Body Language Variations

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3028: Chris Rock's (and other Comedians) Body Language Trick that Gets You Laughing Easier

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3124: Michelle Obama & George W. Bush at Selma-to-Montgomery March 50th Anniversary (PHOTO)

This image of President George W. Bush and Michelle Obama was taken this past Saturday during a  commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches. In this moment as they sat at one end of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Mrs. Obama had a very particular group of nonverbals displayed:

• Forehead is contracted and elevated
• Eyebrows elevated 
• Head is tilted forward and down
• Eyes looking upwards

This body language cluster is highly indicative of disbelief.

What does the configuration of Michelle Obama hands indicate? Is it consistent with her facial display of incredulity?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3122: Lebanese TV Host Rima Karaki Cuts Short London-Based Islamist's (Hani Al-Seba'i) Interview following Insolent Remarks - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2937: Vladimir Putin - “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks” and Critical Evaluation - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2516:  Bashar al-Assad's Interview with Charlie Rose  Body Language Tells, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2390: Charles Ramsey Interview & Cleveland Kidnappings - Sarcastic Disbelief, Disgust and Exclamation

Negotiation Secret No. 70:  Denial & Anger - Robert Redford & The Sting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2629: Sandy Hook Audio Tapes - A Body Language Sign of Disbelief

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3122: Lebanese TV Host Rima Karaki Cuts Short London-Based Islamist's (Hani Al-Seba'i) Interview following Insolent Remarks - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

When Hani Al-Seba'i said to Rima Karaki to "shut up" in the midst of an Al-Jadeed TV interview - she told him the interview was over and then cut off the microphone of the London-based Islamist.

From a nonverbal perspective, during much of this first third of this interview Hani Al Seba’i displays a conventional steeple at mid-level (in front of his chest). Later, before he returns to this body language signal again he proceeded to display a repeated index finger point at the camera.

Index finger pointing is a universally offensive illustrator (gesture) across all cultures. And the conventional steeple, when displayed for a second or two (but no longer) during a one key moment of a conversation (or interview) to drive home a particularly important issue - can be a precise alpha-assertive tool. However most everyone who uses a conventional steeple - over-uses it. Way over-use it. Thus, what had the potential to be skilled nonverbal moment backfires and not only destroys rapport, but helps to feed the appetite of his anger - escalating it until he tells Ms. Karaki to "shut up". Arrogant, patronizing and condescending nonverbals lead to an up-regulation in these same emotions - feeding the monster.

Another profound take-home point is this: No one, absolutely no one who uses a conventional steeple or index finger pointing has an open mind. At such moments they are absolutely closed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 3121: Barack Obama and George W. Bush at the 50th Anniversary of the First Selma-to-Montgomery March

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2809: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Kim Myers - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2910: Becky Hammon, First Female Full-Time NBA Assistant Basketball Coach and an Under-used Body Language Illustrator

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3121: Barack Obama and George W. Bush at the 50th Anniversary of the First Selma-to-Montgomery March (PHOTOS)

Today was the 50th anniversary of the first of three Selma-to-Montgomery Marches. Some have recently come to call it "Bloody Sunday" (although there are many other historical events associated with this name). On that day, Alabama State police and a posse attacked the marchers with billy clubs and tear gas. Today President Obama and many others commemorated the bravery and sacrifice of the marchers. George W. Bush was also in attendance. In the two accompanying successive images, President Bush and President Obama can be seen embracing.

While it surprises no one that these two don't have affection for each other, this moment does provide some great nonverbal signals of such INSINCERE hugs. The specific type of touching on the back is crucial and can be further nuanced by its duration and the degree of palmar contact. When a hug consists of hands patting each other on the back rather than a prolonged touch - it can be signaling a social discomfort for public displays of affection - or a preoccupation with an underlying anxiety from another cause - or it's signaling a diminished or even complete lack of affection. 

A common nonverbal seen increasing in the last two decades is the hand-shake melded with a brief embrace - which George Bush and Barack Obama are doing here. Although President Obama is taller, he is leaning significantly towards President Bush - this fairly dramatic greater distance and separation along with their hands/arms blocking/insulating each other from contact - are all very strong indicators of a greatly diminished or complete lack of affection.

Notice also President Obama's jaw - it is clenched very tightly. Barack's lips and midface are very tense as well and his eyebrows are pulled together and directed downwards. Of course we can't see President Bush's face - yet it's very probable his is conformed similarly. This facial expression-cluster - in particular his clenched jaw in the midst of a hug, invalidates any feigned affection in this moment.

But perhaps the most profound body language tell here (seen in the lower image) can be seen when Barack's hand does make contact President Bush's back - his thumb fails to touch as the other digits do. The thumb must participate in order for a hug to be sincere.

What other key nonverbal signal seen here tells us that this hug is insincere?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Quiz No. 3120: Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking Before Joint Session of Congress - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3036: Angelina Jolie runs into Amy Pascal after email Hack - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley  Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2183:  Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet -  The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 391:  Hillary Clinton and Aung San Suu Kyi

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2790: Head Touch & Head Touch Surrogate - Body Language of Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3017: Narendra Modi, Tony Abbott and Hugs at the G20 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Quiz No. 3120: Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking Before Joint Session of Congress - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Nearly everyone is aware that today Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech before a joint session of the United States Congress as well as the controversial manner in which he was invited. If you watched the speech (the full video is below), you may have noticed that for a large percentage of the time, the Israeli Prime Minister spoke with his mouth in an asymmetrical configuration - biased to his right. A momentary asymmetrical mouth while speaking has a modestly long list of nonverbal possibilities (depending on the other body language with which it is clustered).

However when we see such asymmetry for longer durations - as Mr. Netanyahu exemplified today - it has a different set of causes. These are:

1. A Medical or Anatomical cause
2. Idiosyncratic to the individual (habit or tic)
3. Insincerity or deception
4. A manifestation of Bravado (Nonverbal Swagger)

Do you know how to differentiate between these four causes? Which of these were applicable to Benjamin Netanyahu today?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3119: Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama - What Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2236:  John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3002: How NOT to sit in the Oval Office - Mitch McConnell ... your Beta is Showing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2857: Barack Obama on Syria, Belief that Syrian opposition could have overthrown Assad with U.S. arms a "fantasy" - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2536: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani Interview with Christiane Amanpour; Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2198:  Susan Rice's Body Language at United Nations -  Her First Public Appearance Since her Initial  Post Benghazi Attack T.V. interviews

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3119: Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama - What Body Language Tells Us (PHOTOS)

Much has been made of the relationship - or the lack thereof - between Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama. This image was taken during a 2010 visit of the Israeli Prime Minister. While this is only one photo from one occasion - and it's always VERY important to look at the gestalt - this is very consistent and representative of one and a key aspect of Netanyahu's body language - and thus also his mindset.

Note Netanyahu's body position relative to Obama. Although we cannot see his feet in this photo, from the position of his legs we can say with a high degree of confidence that his feet are pointed towards the camera and NOT to Obama. However the U.S. President's body is shifted considerably towards his counterpart and at least his left foot is pointed in the Israeli leader's direction. 

Human beings point their bodies - the torso, lower abdomen, hips, knees - and particularly our feet towards those to whom we're attracted (not applicable here of course) or in the direction of those whom we respect. Mr. Netanyahu's body language is markedly disparate from his words. When the nonverbal and the verbal languages are in disagreement - it's the nonverbal which always tells the truths.

What other significant nonverbal signals do you see in this photo?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3118: Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Vulcan Hand Signal/Salute - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2598: Benjamin Netanyahu's Body Language regarding Iran Nuclear Proliferation and Negotiations

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2970: Benjamin Netanyahu & Barack Obama at the White House - What Netanyahu Really Feels

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2353: Barack Obama and $100 Million for Brain Research  Body Language of False Mastication with Tongue in Cheek 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3118: Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Vulcan Hand Signal/Salute - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Upon the passing of Leonard Nimoy, many have wondered about the origin of the Vulcan salute/hand gesture. In the science of nonverbal communication, this is an example of an emblem - a nonverbal signal which has an excepted and highly specific meaning within a geographic region or cultural group. Although many of these involve the hands and arms, as does Nimoy's - other emblems involve the face, shoulders, legs, etc. Mr. Nimoy was Jewish and "created the sign himself from a childhood memory from the way Kohanim (Jewish priests) hold their hands when giving blessings". The understood corresponding and proper accompanying verbal statement with this Vulcan gesture is "Live long and prosper" with the lesser known response being "Peace and long life" (although sometimes this order is reversed).

Rarely if ever in human history has a nonverbal emblem so rapidly taken on a near universal (almost World-wide) recognition as the Vulcan salute/hand gesture. This nonverbal, although part the culture of a fictional people from another planet - has, along with Star Trek, over the past couple of generations become a cultural phenomenon. Of course only in the relatively recent past has television, film, the Internet and other media existed - thus facilitating this process of moving from a fictional world to our real one. Mr. Nimoy was in the right place at the right time - yet it still, in Spock's word, "Fascinating!"

Here is a video interview of Leonard Nimoy himself recounting how he came up it:





Below, Astronaut Terry Virts' hand is configured in the Vulcan symbol. It photographed from the International Space Station and tweeted on the Day after Leonard Nimoy's passing. In the background is the Earth - where Cape Cod and Boston (where Nimoy was born) can be seen.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3117: Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Putin - What Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3116: Leonard Nimoy and Disbelief - Body Language of Spock

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2641: John McCain with Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine - You Feel Safe There?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2570: How to Count Like a Leader - Barack's Beneficial Body Language Double Entendre

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication No. Analysis 1492: Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight & Partial Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis N. 1720: Critical Evaluation, Disbelief & a Partial Emblematic Slip  Valérie Trierweiler & Francois Hollande 

Nonverbal Communication No. 3110: Scarlett Johansson gets invaded by John Travolta - An Awkward Moment from the 2015 Oscars - Body Language Tells

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