They want us to see a bromance but Macron’s the alpha: Body language expert JUDI JAMES reveals subtle ticks that suggest Rishi Sunak is submissive at Anglo-French summit
- READ MORE: Rishi Sunak turns on the charm for ‘close ally’ President Macron
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for the Anglo-French summit on Friday.
Mr Sunak committed to sending Paris £478million (540million euros) to fund a new detention centre on the continent and hundreds of extra French law enforcement officers.
But the two sides have not discussed a returns agreement to send failed asylum seekers back across the Channel, with the French president saying it was an issue for Brussels and London to hammer out.
Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron both displayed a new cross-Channel harmony following a fractious period after Brexit.
The British PM hailed an ‘entente renewed’ as they spoke together at the Elysee Palace, while Mr Macron referred to him as ‘dear Rishi’, after having a strained relationship with predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Judi James reveals: This is a clear and deliberate attempt to portray signals of intense friendship bordering on a bromance here , but Macron is the leader who pulled a non-verbal ‘win’ out of the hat when he first met with the alpha Trump and got the best of his power-shake techniques
Body language expert Judi James analysed their behaviour and revealed the subtle tricks that suggest Rishi Sunak is submissive.
This is a clear and deliberate attempt to portray signals of intense friendship bordering on a bromance here, but Macron is the leader who pulled a non-verbal ‘win’ out of the hat when he first met with the alpha Trump and got the best of his power-shake techniques.
Despite the mirrored bonhomie here then, the subliminal messages place Macron in charge in terms of status and control as he greets Sunak.
Their rapport is illustrated with at least three rituals of support and agreement. Their greeting involves a power-hug with mutual back-slapping, in a display of matching machismo.
They also pose using head proximity combined with eye-contact or eye-scrutiny. Head-closeness and eye-contact signal trust and warmth.
Their smiles as they meet each other’s gaze consists of not just mouth-smiling but some skin-crinkling eye smiles too.
Their rapport is illustrated with at least three rituals of support and agreement. Their greeting involves a power-hug with mutual back-slapping, in a display of matching machismo
Sunak and Macron’s handshake is deliberately crafted to suggest strong bonding and mutual strength. Their tightly clasped hands are held between their torsos at chest level, again in a signal of unity and machismo
This looks like overkill signaling as it normally signals genuine affection.
In terms of leadership posing and signaling it is reminiscent of the body language behaviours of Tony Blair when he met with Bush in the US and was over-keen to show the world a very close friendship and rapport.
READ MORE – Rishi Sunak offers Macron £500m to build migrant detention centre on continent and hire more border guards
Sunak and Macron’s handshake is deliberately crafted to suggest strong bonding and mutual strength.
Their tightly clasped hands are held between their torsos at chest level, again in a signal of unity and machismo.
The clasp itself looks like a power shake, i.e. so tight their knuckles can be seen to whiten.
Even the decision about the umbrellas is made to keep the idea of unity afloat. The two leaders had a brolly each and initially someone holding them.
They went to take an umbrella apiece but then Macron decided to hold his own and share it with Rishi.
Despite all the mutual closeness though there is always some subliminal gestures and movements to show Macron is in control and this is despite Sunak’s apparent attempts to suggest otherwise.
When they emerge walking side by side it is Rishi very carefully doing the talking.
This is a political power trick where the one doing the talking and hand gesticulations will always look dominant to the one listening, which in turn creates a good power pose for the cameras and the rest of the world.
As Sunak talks though, Macron walks slightly ahead, making it looks as though Sunak is the lower in status and trying to catch up and pitch to Macron rather than dominate his time.
Their smiles as they meet each other’s gaze consists of not just mouth-smiling but some skin-crinkling eye smiles too
Even the decision about the umbrellas is made to keep the idea of unity afloat. The two leaders had a brolly each and initially someone holding them. They went to take an umbrella apiece but then Macron decided to hold his own and share it with Rishi
When Macron does take over the talking as they walk together the hand he raises for emphasis is curled into a fist.
This is another power-gesture that suggests he is taking a tough stance.
In their iconic hand shake on stage, as they stand at their lecterns, it is Macron throwing a hand out to Rishi with a very confident smile that includes raised brows.
Rishi’s torso is lowered slightly and he seem to raise both hands so clasp Macron’s one hand. With his very crinkled eye-smile it makes Rishi look the more submissive.
Macron also uses the classic power-pat on Rishi, holding or patting his upper arm close to the shoulder to look like the more paternal and powerful one in the relationship.
Macron also uses the classic power-pat on Rishi, holding or patting his upper arm close to the shoulder to look like the more paternal and powerful one in the relationship
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