Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2651: Peyton Manning sets a Single Season Touchdown Record - Body Language at Press Conference (PHOTO)

Yesterday Peyton Manning reclaimed the NFL's single season passing touchdown record from Tom Brady. He has thrown for 51 and still has a game left in the regular season to up his total. He also stands a more-than-likely chance of eclipsing Drew Brees's record of total yards passing (5476) for a single season.

In the image above (via press conference yesterday), Peyton Manning can be seen speaking with an asymmetrical mouth - something that for him is a normal, baseline behavior. He is however also projecting another (simultaneous) superimposed facial expression. Occasionally speaking out of one side of the mouth will be a signal of insincerity (not the case here with Mr. Manning) - and this will be accurately (if often subconsciously) interpreted even by those with no body language training. Asymmetrical mouth configurations during speech can also signal contempt or regret (Can you differentiate theses expressions?). Here Peyton is displaying neither contempt nor regret though (and regret can be expressed bilaterally as well).

A form of "nonverbal swagger" is seen when a person speaks out of one side of his/her mouth during a suppressed and sincere smile. Great care must be taken to avoid interpreting this swagger body language when the "smile" is insincere (aka false smile or social smile or other expression) - thus indicating a completely different emotion status.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2622: Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, What Faces Reveal - Body Language in Foxborough

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1709:  Peyton Manning's Agent Does Not Fully Believe

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1253:  Peyton Manning's Bitter Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2356:  Michelle Obama's "as a Busy Single Mother" comment -  What her Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2455:  Eliot Spitzer's Running for Office  Asymmetry in the Facial Expression, Sincerity &  Norah O'Donnell is Not Just Another Pretty Face

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2650: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pardoned by Putin, is Released from Prison, One Important Thing His Body Language Tells Us

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2650: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pardoned by Putin, is Released from Prison, One Important Thing His Body Language Tells Us (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was just released from prison in Russia. Along with two members of the band "Pussy Riot" and thirty members of a Greenpeace protest ship, Vladimir Putin pardoned Khodorkovsky on three days ago. The former Oil Tycoon landed in Berlin on Sunday.

After spending almost ten years in prison, Mikhail Khodorkovsky displays a somewhat ironic body language tell. However as with all ironies, they cease to be ironic when you dig deeper. Mr. Khodorkovsky is a confident man.

At multiple times during the above video (best exampled during 1:51-1:55), Mr. Khodorkovsky displays a somewhat subtle example of the nonverbal signal known as a "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW). The self-righteous head wiggle is one form of nonverbal swagger. A similar body language display may also be seen in the jaw and/or torso. These may occur in conjunction with the SRHW or they may be seen in isolation.

The self-righteous wiggle nonverbal signals, as their names imply, are high frequency side-to-side movements of the head/jaw and or torso. It is important to not confuse these with the head wag of "no" (although negative words may be spoken). Those who display the SRHW feel that they are alpha. In addition to their high confidence, they also feel very passionate about the subjects which are usually verbalizing - although it is not uncommon to see this body language without any verbal message.

It is interesting to note that the frequency and volume of the spoken word often increase during the SRHW display. A forward motion component (in addition to the side-to-side movement) is often seen as well - which adds a reprimanding/scolding layered meaning. A backward motion is seen when there is added disgust and/or incredulity.

If the self-righteous head wiggle (or any other alpha nonverbal) is over-used (which occurs often and is very easy to do), it will destroy rapport. Most of those displaying alpha signals are not very self-aware thus such habits will back-fire. However Mikhail Khodorkovsky's (subconscious) use of the SRHW is subtle and will be missed by all but the most astute observers.

What other nonverbal signals do you see displayed in this short video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2398:  Self Righteous Head Wiggle, Alpha Behavior &  First Drone Flight Off of an Aircraft Carrier

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection (PHOTO)

Photo Credit Marco Bertorello

This is an incredible photo examples an incredible scenario of human emotion and the body language which accompanies it. The woman is protesting a high-speed train line in Susa, Italy. She is lifting the face-shield of a police officer to kiss him as a peace offering. Note that both of their eyes are closed. At moments of high affection (such as a kiss) and other affectionate, close head-touching scenarios (e.g. sincere hugs), the eyes will close. The emotional brain wants to drink in" and experience every little bit of the emotion of the moment - and such emotion is heightened by eyelid closure. Forty percent of the mass of the brain is visual. Ninety percent of all sensory input is also visual. Thus when the eyelids are closed there is a transient and subtle blood flow and neurochemical downshift in the visual portions of the central nervous system, while the other senses (taste, touch, smell and hearing) grow temporarily more sensitive - and the cognitive and emotional centers of the brain will also up-regulate. This is natural when tasting a chocolate desert, or often when a singer performs, during intense concentration, at the height of sexual orgasm, etc.

Perhaps the police officer and the woman knew each other prior to the protest. Perhaps not. We do not know his specific orders either. While this would seem to be contrary to law enforcement protocol, it seems she has, by her affectionate display, changed his World-view.

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 2502:  A Nonverbal Sign of True Love & Affection - A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in  Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2535: William Swenson, Medal of Honor and Body Language on the Battlefield (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855: Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Body Language Analysis No. 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug  What are they REALLY feeling?

Romance and Dating Secret No. 202: Revealed in a Kiss -  Prince Albert and Princess Charlene 

Body Language Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Body Language Secret No. 105: Parental Affection and Love

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Two days ago Vladimir Putin gave his annual press conference. This year's marathon session lasted about four hours. While the Russian President covered many topics - a small portion dealing with Edward Snowden is discussed here. Below is a partial body language analysis.

The words highlighted in red and purple are coincident with his nonverbal displays as they are timed with the interpreter's words, which are of course are slightly delayed from Mr. Putin's.

(mild) fear at 1:01 (mouth and neck)
 
"... We act under the assumption that in Russia, he will not continue any anti-American propaganda ...."

Putin fears that some of Snowden's future NSA disclosures will make trouble for him and Russia.





Below Vladimir looks first rapidly up to his left (1:22), then straight left (1:23) during the following translator's sentence:

"... In operational terms, we have never worked [up to his left, see first image immediately below] with him [straight to his left, see second image below] and we are not doing this now ..."

1:22

Although not 100% reliable, once a person has been normed for this gaze-directional patterns, a high percentage of right-handed people (Putin is right hand dominant), look up to their left when they are visually recalling a memory.

Image at 1:23

A gaze directional straight to the left (with no significant up or down component) is highly consistent with auditory recall in most right-handed people.








The previous two images, in context with his words, strongly suggests that either Putin himself has met with and is recalling conversations with Edward Snowden - or Vladimir is recalling watching/listening to videos of others interviewing him.

Contempt at 1:26 (Microexpression)

"... We are not asking him any questions about what and how was done in relation to Russia ..."

Mr. Putin clearly feels contempt for those that imply Russia is interrogating Edward Snowden. 

 1:47- 1:48 Regret Display

"... He ah, decided to live in our country due to certain circumstances ...a lot has "

This strongly implies that Mr. Putin feels that giving Snowden amnesty was more trouble than benefit. He regrets letting him into Russia.

1:49 The Puffer Fish

"... A lot has been already done about this ..."

The puffer fish nonverbal display is strongly consistent with anxiety and is more correlative with a past event - although it can be seen with one anticipated in the near future.

This body language tends to have a calming effect as it lowers the heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.

A "Behind the Ear Scratch" (on the mastoid process) as Mr. Putin's interpreter say's "... But it is now up to him to determine his future. We're not going to help him or prevent him, we're just provided him the shelter   ..." shows us Vladimir's significantly heightened anxiety regarding Russia's harboring of Edward Snowden.

 1:52 - 1:56




See also:

Body Language Secret # 53: Charlie Rangel & The Puffer Fish

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2621: Matt Smith (11th Incarnation of 'Dr. Who'), Anxiety and American Psycho

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2519:  Vladimir Putin Speaks Syria,  Chemical Weapons and Disarmament -  Body Language just after his New York Times Op-Ed

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2440:  Vladimir Putin Dials Up His Alpha ... Foot Position, Projecting Leadership,  Confidence & Body Language 

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 # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This video gives us a great example in the evaluation of a nonverbal cluster - that is, several body language signs occurring simultaneously or in close temporal proximity. A cluster is truly a nonverbal sentence".

It begins with President Barack Obama saying, "Ahhh ya know me attending Olympics particularly at a time when we got all the other stuff that people been talking about is going to be tough, although I would love to do it [hard, dry swallow]. I'll be going to a lot of Olympic Games post-Presidency ... um ..."

During 0:07

An extended blink (a form of gaze aversion) along with a partially suppressed smile - aka Duping Delight (Ekman) begins a body language cluster which tells us what Mr. Obama really feels about going to Sochi, Russia for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

During 0:09 - 0:10

Here the President makes a "Hard Swallow (and Dry)" as he looks down - away from his audience (more gaze aversion). Both nonverbal changes are very common in the midst of deception.

During 0:11 - 0:12

The index finger (aka forefinger) point (disguised here as a bit o' "awe shucks" swagger) is a major nonverbal faux pas - and one President Obama rarely commits. One thing this tells us is that he was (for a few seconds) off his game with respect to his body language. This temporary disinhibition was due to anxiety brought about by his previous lie. He very probably will be going to many Olympics in the future - however he has no desire to be back in Russia and in the company of Vladimir Putin. Note his suppressed smile/duping delight has re-appeared.

It is also an interesting statement analysis observation that Mr. Obama uses poorer (extemporaneous) word selection during these few seconds (we all do when we lie). Grammar, syntax and word choices all grow worse during deception.

In summary, the President was fibbing when he said he would love to go to the Sochi Olympics.

What else did you notice in President Obama's last press conference of 2013?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2602: Barack Obama at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

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

Negotiation Secret # 140:  Duping Delight Microexpression  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2236:  John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's -  Body Language Faux Pas in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2645: Justin Timberlake Helps Fan Propose During Concert (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last Saturday night during a concert in Louisville, Kentucky, Justin Timberlake went way out of his way to make an extra-special night for Josh Clemons and his girlfriend, Kim Martin. Months before Josh had contacted Timberlake's manager to see if he could perhaps dedicate a particular song ("That Girl") so he could have a grand marriage proposal. Timberlake decided to do much more and arranged to invite the couple up on stage and gave them the limelight (see video above).

In this image captured from the above video, Ms. Martin covers her mouth suddenly with here free, left hand (a few moments later she repeats this with her right hand). This body language is seen during moments of significant emotional processing. Said another way, the rational/logical brain knows what is happening - yet the emotional brain is trying to catch up and digest the emotional significance of the moment and event.

This gesture is not uncommon - and it is seen during both positive and negative emotional states; however the people who display this nonverbal signal at such times have higher overall "empathy quotients". In addition this particular MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is, in the moment, a reliable indicator of sincerity. Do you know any other signals of high (or low) empathy?

In this second edited version of the same event, a brief interview with Clemons and Martin is included. At the very end of this video (and captured in the image to the left) there is a beautiful example of both couples exhibiting the same nonverbal display - an asymmetrical and suppressed, sincere mouth smile. Many times an asymmetrical smile is indicative of either an insincere smile or can be confused with contempt. In addition, during the initial stages of a sincere smile with a slower onset, most people tend to begin the smile on one side before the other side joins in.  This configuration can also be seen as a sincere smile wanes away. Do you know how to differentiate all of these mouth asymmetries?

See also:

Dating & Romance Secret #227:  Are You Comfortable Around Your Ex? Cameron Diaz & Justin Timberlake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2639: Denver School Shooting and a Body Language of High Empathy

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212:  Sudden Mouth Covering

Leadership Secret # 221:  Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy - Hillary Clinton and Osama Bin Laden Raid

Body Language Secret # 21:  Surprise + Fear + Empathy on Sept. 11, 2001 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2630: Nelson Mandela - Body Language of a Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2644: Barry Hinson's Rant - (Southern Illinois Basketball Coach) Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Barry Hinson, the Head Coach for the Southern Illinois University Salukis Men's Basketball went on a Rant on Tuesday. The video of his appearance at the press conference following the 73-65 loss to Murray State University went viral. No doubt he wanted to win (what coach doesn't), however portions of this rant were rehearsed. Publicity stunt? Hmmm.

Beginning at the 2:52 mark he grows particularly animated. His nonverbal displays of multiple "Finger-Point Hand-Chops" are highly correlative with deception. Of course this is "deception" within the context of exaggerated theatrics - yet it still is a lying. This serves to illustrate an important nonverbal example though - whenever you see the finger-point hand-chop, be very wary of lies.

Coach Hinson's finger-point hand chop body language is seen coincident with the following dialog (in red): "My wife! My wife! can score more that two buckets on eleven shots, because I know my wife will at least shot fake one time!"

At the 1:19 mark (occurs very quick and most people will miss it) this excellent example of a microexpression of fear is displayed within the following verbal context:

"... No, I guess, I think, I think rebounding ... I, think, I think it's too far, I, I ... [fear microexpression] ... I've been telling my wife this for years, size doesn't matter ..."

His particular choice of self-deprecating humor - analogizing the height of his men's college basketball guards to an integral part of his own anatomy - is a curious choice here. What other word selections (statement analysis) did you find within this video which were unusual?

You will see few examples of a professional who is at least somewhat accustomed to being on camera display so many microexpressions of fear is such a short time. Watch this video and see how many you can spot.

"The lady doth protest too much .... methinks"

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2391:  Jay Carney re: Hillary Clinton and Benghazi -  Microexpressions and More

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061:  David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks -  Alpha Dominance and Illustrators -  Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 359:  Last Stop for the Cain Train

Change the person, time and circumstances a bit ... if this were your spouse or co-worker how would you call this? Bill Clinton 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2606: Brett Farve Displays Body Language of Fear about any Son Playing Football 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2519:  Vladimir Putin Speaks Syria,  Chemical Weapons and Disarmament -  Body Language just after his New York Times Op-Ed 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Sam McNair, a 17 year old student, was recently given a one-year suspension for hugging a teacher. The senior at Duluth High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia - like everyone should be very aware of just how entering any other person's interpersonal space will be interpreted. It is very possible that an innocent hug can be interpreted as one with sexual motives. It appears that this is one of those cases.

When the phrase "innocent hug" is used, what is usually meant is that there was affection present - but no sexual intent or other motive. Of course a person can have affection for a person to who he or she also has sexual attraction. In the same respect, every encroachment into another person's personal space is not (nor should be treated) as one with sexual motives. Affectionate displays are not sex.

At the 0:01 mark in the video, McNair approaches primarily from the teacher's right side and slightly from behind (not from behind as was stated in the video).

 At 0:06

A very crucial nonverbal cue that the intent of this hug was not sexual is that his feet stop approximately six inches or so from the teacher and "he leans in". The exact amount is impossible to determine from this video, however the "leaning in" body language can be clearly seen. Sexuality is expressed when the feet of the hugger come close to the other person.

Thus McNair's mid-section/lower abdomen is not in contact with the side of the teacher's torso. When the intent of the hugger is primarily sexual, the lower abdomen/groin is in contact with the "huggee". And while it is possible that such lower abdomen/private area contact is also seen when there is strong affection present, if sexual expression/desire is the primary driver, the genital area of the hugger will make contact with the person being hugged. 

Note also that McNair's Face defaults to the back of his teacher's neck. In the context of a hug, this nonverbal component also speaks to less sexuality as a primary emotional driver of his behavior. The head/face/neck contact does indicate a high level of affection McNair has (had) toward his teacher. The teacher said that his lips came in contact with her - and of course this is possible and even probable, but this is not sexually driven (She did not say a kiss occurred, and while a kiss would not recommended in such a context - they can and often are affectionate). Indeed with any hug where significant levels of affection are present, the lips will always be very close to the huggee while the heads will always make contact (unless significant suppression is being expressed also, e.g. embarrassment).

McNair's higher arm configuration also has less sexual propensity.

Image at 0:08

The teacher is pushing McNair away.

Image at 0:09

It is also important to note, that hugs with a significant sexual component have a strong tendency not to be initiated from the side as seen in this example.





In summary, while it is very important for any person to always respect the social and legal codes as well as others' personal biases, this hug has a very low likelihood to be driven by sexuality and a very high probability to be driven by the emotion of affection. Affection may very well be unwanted, and even "inappropriate" (thus always subjective) - but be very careful with labeling affection as sex.

Affection and sex may of course coexist in some relationships, yet they are two very different things. Affection is not sex.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2319:  Dennis Rodman Hugging Kim Jong-un ...  Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2317:  "The Rescuing Hug" -  Body Language of Human Touch & Kangaroo Care

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898:  Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug  What are they REALLY feeling?

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1423:  Head First Affection &  Head Surrogate Hugs 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179:  Mitt Romney & Barack Obama -  Sincere Hugs and True Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley  Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Tom Hanks recently appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". The two-time Oscar winner plugged his new movie, "Saving Mr. Banks" in which he plays Walt Disney which tells the story about the making of the movie, "Mary Poppins". 

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, was captured from this video.
 

Kimmel: "What are you guys sing-, are you singing?"

Hanks: "We were singing, 'Let's go fly a kite!' "

Kimmel: "Oh."

Hanks: "That is like, it's like, it's ah, it's the ultimate moment in the, the movie 'Mary Poppins' and it's a huge a moment in our movie and it is the perfect song to sing in order to either cement the mood or change it. Because you can get through anything, good or bad by sing-, breaking out into 'Let's Go Fly A Kite!'....."

During the segment from about 1:07 through 1:12 (coincident with "... moment in the, the movie 'Mary Poppins' and it's a huge a moment in our movie ..."), Hanks reaches for and then scratches just in front of and slightly below his left ear with his left hand about six times. He uses his index finger (forefinger), middle and ring finger of his left (non-dominant) hand.

Most agree Hanks is a pretty good or even an excellent actor. He gets paid handsomely for his theatrics - and yet he cannot pull off even a slight deception in the context of a hyperbolic pun. When Hanks was "just being himself" - even though it was a joking scenario - he could not suppress the facial touching MAP nonverbal (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) which betrays and is highly consistent with lying.

Had the lie been more extreme, Hanks would have with highly probability used his dominant (right) hand.

"Norming" a person's body language behavior during such "little white lies" will provide knowledge benefiting you greatly during moments of lies with higher ramification.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2552: Tom Hanks, the Real Captain Phillips and Recalling the Emotion of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2159:  Tom Hanks drops the F-bomb on GMA -  Body Language of Fear, Surprise, MAPs and a Bitter Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033:  Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov, Russia and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2581: Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford and a Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language

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

Senator John McCain is currently in Kiev, Ukraine. He is speaking directly to the protesters - whom for a month have been very vocal and in large numbers objecting to their President's (Viktor Yanukovych) desire and intent to strengthen socioeconomic ties to Russia as opposed aligning with the European Union.   

McCain appeared this morning on "Face the Nation" where somewhat off-handling he was asked by Bob Schieffer (beginning at 2:19), "... Ah, We have seen scenes all week, some of these look like the scenes from the movie 'Les Misérables', ah, out there in the streets of Kiev, ah, I know you think you're bullet proof, but do you feel safe there Senator?"

McCain replies, "Ahhh I always feel safe Bob, I, I, I've told you in the past, I know I'm going to die but it's only going to be in bed."

At 2:34 as he says, "... always ..." and again at 2:35 - 2:36 as he says "... I, I, I've..." he shrugs - primarily with his left shoulder.

A shrug is an example of what is known in body language parlance as an "Emblem". An emblem has an excepted and specific meaning within a city, country, region or cultural group. Some emblems are universal or nearly so. A shrug is just such an emblem (here a partial emblem since it is mostly with his left shoulder). It is a nonverbal indicator of: "I don't know", "I don't care" or "What Does it Matter?".

In the context of a declarative statement - here, "... Ahhh I always feel safe Bob ..." this shrug strongly suggests doubt McCain has in his own words. That is, Senator McCain does not feel safe in the midst of the Kiev Protests. Note also when he shrugs in greater amplitude as he says, "... I, I, I've..." he is stuttering - which when particularly clustered with a unilateral shrug, is also strongly highly suggestive of doubt, deception and/or self-deception.

Mr. McCain's suffers from the residual effects of a peripheral Cranial Nerve VII palsy (probably Bell's palsy) on his left. This makes his facial asymmetry difficult to interpret. Shrugs can have a number of components - several on the face, the hands - and even the legs and feet.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2583: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle - Is Your Cell Phone Being Tapped?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2308:  Bill Burr on Conan O'Brien -  Body Language of the Abbreviated Shrug

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2623: Kim Jong-un Impersonator - A Valuable Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2414:  Sen. John McCain after his Trip to Syria -  Body Language of Regret and Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2195:  Sen. John McCain's Body Language when  Comparisons made between Condoleezza Rice to Susan Rice &  War with Iraq to Benghazi, Libya Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2464:  Gen. Martin Dempsey (Chairman U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff) Sen. John McCain and The Self-Righteous Torso Wiggle Body Language on Capitol Hill

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1267:  John McCain, Sarah Palin and Bell's Palsy

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