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We asked a body language expert to analyze Trump at the G7 - and all those awkward kisses, handshakes, and shoulder grabs
We asked a body language expert to analyze Trump at the G7 - and all those awkward kisses, handshakes, and shoulder grabs
Ivan De LuceAug 28, 2019, 20:17 IST
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At this month's G7 summit, President Trump shared awkward greetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Business Insider spoke with a body language expert who said that awkward greetings are usually the result of differing cultural norms.
It's not the first time President Trump has been awkward on camera, from long handshakes with President Macron to being talked down to by Chancellor Merkel.
People often communicate as much with their bodies as with words - especially when the whole world is watching.
At this month's G7 summit, President Donald Trump shared a long handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron, air-kissed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and put his hands around UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's shoulders.
At the summit, world leaders representing six countries and the European Union gather to discuss issues like climate change, trade, and defense. The summit held in Biarritz, France, was rife with awkward moments, and not only from President Trump. To explain those exchanges, Business Insider spoke with body language expert and director of New York University's Management Communication Program, Susan J. Stehlik, about Trump's behavior.
"With Mr. Trump, it's always a guessing game," Stehlik told Business Insider. "He has a reputation for being unpredictable, breaking norms, and grabbing the spotlight."
According to Stehlik, Trump is either displaying his objection to a current conversation, or simply sitting comfortably. But it's that combination of pouting and crossed arms that send the wrong message.
"I'd say at the very least he is not pleased, and may even be sending an intimidating nonverbal message," Stehlik said.
Trump air-kissed Merkel just before a group photo.
While world leaders gathered for a group photo in Biarritz on Sunday, Trump greeted Merkel with a handshake and a kiss.
"The handshake looks fairly neutral and Merkel appears to be giving her cheek, but Trump is puckered up and appears ready to plant a kiss," Stehlik said.
French First Lady Brigitte Macron also kissed Trump hello.
Stehlik stressed the importance of not always trusting a photo — in this case, a peck on the cheek from Brigitte Macron is frozen in time.
The other concern, says Stehlik, is whether politicians should remain neutral in their greetings or try to follow cultural norms. In this case, Trump and Brigitte Macron went for the quintessential French greeting, a kiss on each cheek, initiated by the wife of Emmanuel Macron.
"The question is whether one wants to be perceived as sophisticated about certain cultural greetings, or whether one is going for a degree of intimacy," Stehlik said. "The range of intent is quite broad. I like to look at who appears dominant or making the first move."
Trump shared another long handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron.
"In many cultures navigating the personal and professional relationship is a sensitive issue," she said. "Becoming more self-aware and ratcheting up one's EQ would be helpful to all of them and all of us that have to see them."