As a body language expert, I have looked at the video of Trump
shooting the bird to the astronaut for international media. The article is in
the comments. FYI, I had a feeling that I would only be asked by the foreign
press.
I watched it carefully many times to be able to share with you
what he did, and that he meant to give the bird. Notice first it's timing.
Right after she corrects him by saying, "There have been many female
space walkers before us,”
he swiftly and dramatically moves his upper body, looks up and to his right then shuts
his eyes down and puts his head down to the right a combination retreat and
dismiss gesture cluster, that also included an unhappy expression with flat
closed lips going down at the very corners. Then he shot the bird placing it
strategically in the middle of his forehead to emphasize it and moved it up and
down in front emphasizing it more. Then slowly he moves the symbol to the side
of his head moving it up and down to emphasize it more and let it linger in our
minds, but also make it appear on the surface that it could be something else.
Notice that he is extremely careful not to mess his hair and notice his facial
cues go from irritation to anger to dupers delight, glee as he finishes it. He
enjoyed giving it and did it intentionally.
It was not a scratch. It was a passive-aggressive shooting the bird symbol. How do I know it wasn't a scratch? Right now, go to scratch your forehead. To scratch, two or more of your fingers typically curl at the ends to get some nail contact and more power at the fingertips. It's not a block, stress or comfort cue. Those commonly are done with more fingers to cover the face. And notice how very careful he is to not muss his hair. Forming the finger to flip off someone requires effort as does being careful not to mess up your hair and again the little smile when he finishes it says it was worth it to him.
It was not a scratch. It was a passive-aggressive shooting the bird symbol. How do I know it wasn't a scratch? Right now, go to scratch your forehead. To scratch, two or more of your fingers typically curl at the ends to get some nail contact and more power at the fingertips. It's not a block, stress or comfort cue. Those commonly are done with more fingers to cover the face. And notice how very careful he is to not muss his hair. Forming the finger to flip off someone requires effort as does being careful not to mess up your hair and again the little smile when he finishes it says it was worth it to him.
Yes, in a moment when these
astronauts should have been honored, A moment that should have been shown to
children around the world what wonderful things are possible. A moment meant to
honor what our country can do. He ruined it. By the way, if you look for the
video you will notice that most news markets have edited his rude symbol out
and show Pence or a picture of the space station as he is doing it. That is
wild in and of itself as it hides the truth from us.
Here was what the media chose to
say from what I shared above. Notice the title of the article says he is
accused of it rather than he obviously shot a bird
Body Language Expert Patti Wood. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
