So, people keep on looking for reasons to find out bad things about US President Donald Trump. I'm completely neutral when it comes to politics. But reading the headlines, as Trump avoids Merkel's Handshake, made me look into the video.
We, as Body Language decoding experts have to look to the detailing of the gestures and postures with facial expressions. There are certain minute details in every gesture that a person does.
Coming to Donald Trump, he is a camera conscious person. We all watched the video where he so called "avoids" Angela Merkel's Handshake. Here are few things to notice.
1. His sitting posture: If you notice his sitting posture, he usually sits at the edge of the chair, which makes him look like he is reluctant to be there. He never takes the back rest of the chair. He did the same here.
2. Eye contact: He also makes very less eye contact with the fellow dignitary, instead he looks at the media, which makes him more "not so simpatico" with the other nation leader.
3. His stretched smile: He always gives a fake smile, as if he is forced to be there.
These are some of the things he does usually does.
And if you check his videos with other country leaders, you may observe that he offers a handshake, if he feels the other person wants it.
Trump with Justin ( Canada)
Trump and Justin are sitting, suddenly Trump says they might want a handshake (or something like it) and quickly offers his hand with a subjugating gesture, which Justin responds to swiftly.
Trump with Shinzo ( Japan)
Trump when sitting with Shinzo with the same style, with the stretched lips, when sees Shinzo's hand at his peripheral view immediately responds and offers a handshake. Not only they exchange some light humorous words but also Trump adjusts his seating,comes a little forward.
Trump with Angela ( Germany)
When Trump is being asked questions, his answers are short, followed by Angela answering few of them in German. If you pay attention here, Trump is not paying attention to whatever she is saying.
Angela uses a hand gestures signifying positivity and continuous smile, whereas Trump is still maintaining his signature " posture".
Therefore, when people ask for a handshake
and Angela asks about having a handshake, he thinks she is talking to someone else, which he neglects.
If you follow the full video or the part when Trump receives Angela, then you must know, he is trying his best to be as courteous as possible.
Hence, I would conclude it as negligence and not ignorance.
For the reference all the three handshakes videos' link are given below, feel free to view them again.
Handshake with Justin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2eFzAByfAo
Handshake with Shinzo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiitQ-5_E_Y
Handshake with Angela : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMDkQd75HvA
