Handshake Politics: How World Leaders Get the “Upper Hand”
From the handshakes below, which figure in each photograph appears the more dominant, or in control?
The Left-Side Advantage
In these photos, the person standing at the left of the photograph enjoys a seemingly more dominant perspective. With the appearance of a palm-down handshake and arm-crossed in front of the body, the leftmost figure stands in contrast to the schmuck on the right, who is forced to approach with a submissive, palm-up handshake, an entire body exposed to the camera, and a useless left arm dangling at the side.
There is a lot of truth in idioms, and the world leaders standing at the left literally do “get the upper hand” by tricks of perspective. Let’s discuss what this means in the context of our hands and how they communicate the impression of dominance or submission.
All About the Palms
We can probably all agree that our hands are pretty important, perhaps even the defining element of our humanity. If you are new to the science of body language, however, chances are you are not consciously aware of what is going on with your palms.
You definitely have had the gut feeling that someone who is talking to you with his hands in his pockets or under the table might not be trustworthy. The traveling insurance salesman probably won’t feel too comfortable seeing a customer behind a screen door with balled fists, while it feels natural to you to flip your hands upward when you’re shrugging at a difficult question from a professor.
Palms, and whether we decide to show them, are a strong indicator of intention and a barometer of our comfort level. We show our palms when we are open to new ideas, asking for a favor, or looking to communicate trust or submission. Even physiologically, you should be able to feel a difference. When you turn your palms up, you rotate your shoulders outward, opening up your chest toward your companion or audience.
Conversely, we hide the soft skin of our palms and vulnerable wrist instinctively when we attempt to deceive. We signal authority by concealing our palms and pointing at others. When insulted or unfairly treated, we clench our hands together in anticipation of some dreadful scuffle or fisticuffs.
Look at the pictures below.
Notice the figures in the frames outlined in red are projecting dominance, while the open palms in blue are beseeching, thirsting for approval and other sustenance. Now flip these situations around in your mind. Could you imagine the captain giving orders palm-up? Can you place yourself in the shoes of the salesman making a pitch and asking for an investment, but palms-down?
The Handshake Game
In the game of handshakes, it is all about communicating dominance, equality, or submission. In a meeting of equals, you would expect a handshake with palms perfectly perpendicular to the floor. In life, you may find that your boss or an aggressive neighbor may employ a “palm-down” approach in an attempt to get that “upper hand” over you. Shake hands with a nervous child, and you’re likely to be approached palm-up.
In an age where the game of diplomacy is played against a backdrop of economic sanctions, nuclear proliferation, and cyberwarfare, the purest expression of statecraft has not changed. The handshake is the first and most visceral channel to affirm an alliance of equals or signal a feeling of superiority.
Unfortunately, despite even an equal handshake in good faith, the camera angle of a political photo-op favors the person on the left. Notice below how Obama and Hu Jintao are ostensibly sharing a handshake among equals, yet Obama’s hand is closer to the camera thus appearing larger. From the audience’s perspective, we see the back of Obama’s hand seemingly dominating that of the former Chinese president.
Naturally, we can expect world leaders to have top-tier coaching and body language consultants. However, we should keep in mind that not every handshake is a power play. Politicians are not always jockeying to enter from the left. Indeed, in many cases a handshake is simply a handshake — a human custom to acknowledge friendships and alliances. However, when you take a look at the handshakes between heads of state who are not very close or who have a less than stellar relationship, things get pretty interesting.
Some of the more image-conscious leaders seem to end up on the left more than most. Simply look up the incredibly photogenic Justin Trudeau, a true master of body language who always seems to come off the victor, handshake or not. Better still, google “Putin handshake” and notice the number of times he appears in that advantageous angle.
The Counter Attack
As image-savvy as politicians may be, there is simply no guarantee that they can approach from the left every time. During important events, like the first introduction or a meeting between contentious countries, leaders may employ the double-clasp to regain power and re-assert control. In this way, the clasper turns the tables by not only eliminating the camera advantage but also by trapping the other person’s hand.
Or they may go for an insincere arm clasp…
All of the above interfere with the favorable optics of the leftmost politician’s “upper hand”. While a double-handed handshake or “arm embrace” is often meant to convey extra warmth or closeness, it should definitely be an alarm bell between world leaders who are not exactly known to have much fondness for each other. Imagine if you were shaking hands with a stranger who did this to you!
Trump
Any article on handshakes would be remiss without mention of the macho hand battler himself. I want to draw your focus to a very specific Donald Trump maneuver. Out of his considerable, over-the-top repertoire, Trump takes a very interesting approach when positioned at the right. He offers his hand in a treacherously submissive, palm-up approach, lulling his hapless counterpart into a false sense of security. The other guy makes contact…
And the trap is sprung. Trump forcefully squeezes the other person’s hand and clenches his knuckles. This action may be accompanied with a forceful “alpha” tug or two toward himself to unsteady his opponent, because why not? He then brings his left arm up to pat the other person’s hand, establishing dominance with the subtext, “I own you.”
What a time to be alive.
For those interested, more Trump body language analysis.
You’ve Got to Hand it to Them
As you can see, there’s certainly a lot going on behind the scenes of the deceptively simple handshake between world leaders. Assertive and aggressive politicians, particularly on home turf and with something to prove, will frame the shot so that they can acquire the left-side advantage and appear powerful and dominant. Dealt a poor hand by the camera angle, the opponent on the right might attempt to fight back with a timely shoulder embrace or hand trap.
Hope this information comes in handy. Next time you see some rowdy politicians step up for a confrontational meeting on the world stage, get a grip and watch their hands. Usually, the subtext won’t be too hard to grasp.
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