The psychologist called the unusual reason for the anomalous embrace of Macron and Biden

“To once again verify the reality of what is happening”

Users on social networks continue to discuss the talks between US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in the White House. The big surprise for many was their long, 30-second handshake, the fact that Biden and Macron often touched each other during their public speeches. And also the fact that the French leader repeatedly put his hand on the back of the American president. What could be behind these non-verbal signals, social psychologist Alexei Roshchin told MK.

“Everything that happens, in my opinion, is a kind of performance,” says Alexei Roshchin.

According to the social psychologist, the fact that Biden grabbed Macron’s hand and did not let go for more than half a minute may partly indicate that the American president is not entirely in reality, he needs to feel another person next to him.

– This is a normal state for a person in twilight consciousness. That is, he held on to Macron’s hand just to once again ascertain the reality of what was happening. Plus, Biden may have problems with short-term memory. In such cases, holding a hand, an older person ceases to understand how long he holds it.

Macron has repeatedly laid his hand on the back of the American leader. He even at a certain moment turned to Macron with the phrase “merci”. What can it say?

– The fact that Macron repeatedly touched Biden’s back, as if hugging him, on the one hand, is a real way to support a person, realizing that he is not in a completely stable condition. On the other hand, it is a hidden signal of superiority.

When a person puts his hand on someone’s shoulder or back, this is still an indicator of a hierarchical difference. Macron in this case could, under the guise of concern, not fail to signal that he is stronger and more powerful.

Quite in the French spirit, such a hidden hint is a spit in the direction of America. Because France, in my opinion, has always had a lot of complexes in relation to the United States. In this case, we can say that Macron is recouping for all the decades of contempt for France, which the Americans showed. This is such a signal “for their own”. “Now I am patronizing your grandfather.”

Such signals are read at the subconscious level. These are things that go back to our ancestors – monkeys. When someone puts a hand on someone’s shoulder, it’s an indication of seniority.

– How can you explain that Macron and Biden touched each other all the time during the meeting?

— There may be two layers, two layers. The first is an indicator of such closeness and familiarity. The second layer is a consequence of the fact that the old person has already erased all hierarchical barriers, he ceases to betray this significance, it is difficult for him to keep all this in his head. It’s like a grandfather who constantly touches his loved ones, treats everyone familiarly. I think that Macron was not very pleased with these Biden touches. But to some extent he tried to smooth this impression. Therefore, in response, he also touched Biden. In fact, in order not to give the impression of awkwardness, he gave the impression of familiarity. It’s not that conspicuous.