My in-depth body language analysis of "the Eye-Roll" vid:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

I don't think Obama's laughing along WITH Cheetos......

If he were, everyone's body language would look different.

What Obama's doing is being polite in public. Appropriately so.

Notice Prez Obama laughs at Boner's remark but quickly turns away and faces in the opposite direction. That's a total shut out. Boner's wife looks down, away from her husband and at the moment of the remark, she purses her lips and frowns, separating herself from him further.

Boner himself does the lonely look around with tight lips; that's a classic response to being dissed and left flapping in the wind. He's looking around for some anchor--approval--and there is none.

And then of course there's Michelle's reaction.

Hee hee.

Suck it, Cheetos.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Somebody made a lame joke and she rolled her eyes. Nobody knows what was said.

Too much is being made of this.

[Schema Thing]

4. this^

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. ah..hey I'm having fun. I just like analyzing interpersonal dynamics.

don't make too much of it.....

[TwilightGardener]

10. I just mean in general--not necessarily your post.

[HiPointDem]

27. +1. it's idiotic.

[bemildred]

29. Far too much, especially when there is serious stuff going on. nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

30. hey well..you're taking a break from the seriousness

By taking time out to comment.

It's ok to be unserious sometimes.....balance, you know

[bemildred]

32. I'm OK with your post, I just don't want to spend all day watching Michelle roll her eyes.

Edit3: and looking at Boehner.

[elleng]

46. Absolutely!

[jazzimov]

65. Actually, after viewing the vid several times,

she didn't "roll her eyes". She was eating her salad. Obviously, there was a comment that "surprised" her and made her react involuntarily briefly, but she didn't "roll her eyes" or do anything else except briefly pausing and then continuing to eat her salad. She maintained her composure throughout the entire "episode which is not an episode".

Frankly, if I had been there I would have "rolled my eyes" many more times.

Kudos to Michelle Obama for being able to maintain her composure! Despite over-whelming odds!

[seabeyond]

72. true. more a pause, give me strength at the stupid, and going on with dinner. nt

[seabeyond]

2. i got exactly the same watching it. nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. yeah...Prez looks like...

AHAHA....

yeah,
no.

[seabeyond]

15. lol, exactly. he does exactly what hubby would do. i do exactly what michelle would do.

so funny

[BlancheSplanchnik]

21. yeah, I'm thinking back on parties where I'm stuck talking to a drunk.

Laugh politely and then---get outa Dodge!


*snarfle*

[seabeyond]

45. “Somebody won’t let you do it.” that would cause most women to roll their eyes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022240438#post1

[BlancheSplanchnik]

57. oh boyyyyy....did I ever

Yeesh.

As you said, that is SUCH Boy's Club, blame those ol'schoolmarm ladies who don't ever let us Manly Men have any fun.

What a load.....





And..I can't see PO patting M's back in the vid but if he's doing that, I agree--definitely sending the message, "grit ur teeth, sweety, we just have to grit. Our. Teeeth."

[jberryhill]

3. "quickly turns away and faces in the opposite direction"

Are you listening with sound? As he turns away, someone starts speaking into the microphone, so it would seem that his attention is directed to the speaker (the one speaking, not the Speaker).

[fadedrose]

11. Agreed.

Obama's laugh was a belly-splitter and ended short because of someone getting his attention...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

31. actually, I did listwn to a longer version with sound

Seemed PO turned away before the speaker's voice was heard.

Hey I'm just having fun speculating. What seems obvious to me looks like something differ nt to someone else.

But one thing we can all agree on-- SUCK IT. Cheetos!

[onenote]

34. Nope. The President and Boehner were speaking at the same time as Shumer

and turned away at the point where Shumer suggested that the attendees give a round of applause to those who had put together the luncheon.

You may have had a version with bad sound.

[gtar100]

37. Hahaha that is so funny.

And so telling. I never would have seen that if you didn't post the video. Thanks.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

55. oh well...

I do my best with what I got...

[seabeyond]

42. post 34, the speaker is behind him and was talking all the way thru what bohner was saying. nt

[madaboutharry]

5. Agree!

Pres. Obama....laughs
Michelle Obama....eye roll
Mrs. Boehner...ugh, what an ass.

[fadedrose]

12. Agreed

I think that lady is a huge part of the problem at hand, and John's problems in general.

Maybe she's like Michelle Bachman or some of those other repulsive rep women...

[TeamPooka]

28. all adds up to a Boner fail. :)

[djean111]

7. For all we know, Michelle was agreeing with something Boehner said.

I have rolled my eyes in agreement at things.

[Cha]

39. But, she's

not laughing.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. right....all of her non-verbal messages are just sooooo clear:

"Yecch"




Can't say as I blame her!
YECCH is right!

[fadedrose]

8. I see the President as being part of Boener's joking around

His laugh is too real to be just polite.

I think Boener's wife may be a staunch rightwinger and doesn't appreciate John messing around with Democrats.

And a glimmer of Michelle's eye rolling is directed at Mrs. Boener.

Poor John. I'm one of those people who think that mostly because of their tobacco addiction, the Prez & John have something in common. The Prez understands him.

[JohnnyLib2]

13. I think we need Oprah to get the real story.

ASAP

[BlancheSplanchnik]

22. got her phone number?

Let's get on this!

[classof56]

52. Yes! Oprah will get to the bottom of this international incident.

Could be a two-hour show, the second one devoted to an exposition of Sasha's yawn.

Always enjoy your posts, BTW!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

54. Breaking: CNN asks the Tough Questions! Details at 11:00! But first, this......

Brought to you by Doritoes! Extra Orange!! And, Tanfastick, fake sunlike authentic artificial skin darkening salons..... "for a little darker White that says, "I'm not third world, but I can afford to vacation there!"





Awww you like my posts? Thank you!

[classof56]

68. Good one!

Now this is why I like your posts!

[MADem]

14. It looks to me like the guys were getting a bit fresh and neither of the women cared for it.

I think it's hilarious how people are ascribing a partisan nature to this little snip, and I wouldn't mind if MO did give the guy some crap, but to me it looks like guys yucking it up about some dumbass thing or person (maybe someone off to their right), and the ladies expressing disapproval/disdain/exasperation with regard to their comments.

[Berlum]

16. Maybe Boehner was telling the 'Stinky-Republican-Diaper-Senator walks-into-a-bar joke again?

The Republican Diaper Sex thingy always gets, um, some kind of reaction.

Disgustipation.

[justiceischeap]

17. The thing I like most about the entire exchange

is Michelle never once stops eating. She's got a goal and, damnit, she's gonna meet it.

[Cha]

53. I know! Michelle is seriously

getting her vittles where they belong.. was my thought. She will not be distracted.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

60. the meal's gotta be a lot better than the CheezWiz on her left...

[Bok_Tukalo]

18. Having seen the same exact expression on my wife I can say with certainty ....

The Speaker of the House made a pun.

[fadedrose]

19. I think the President has two huge admirers

One is Joe Biden, the other is Boener. And he likes them both.

Strange.

[Scuba]

20. Nailed it.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

23. it's quite fun to me...analyzing interactions.

In a way, it's part of my job. I'm a Sign Language interpreter. Sign Language obviously employs a lot of visual meaning, beyond just the specific signs. Facial expressions, body shifts, subtle changes in posture and direction, eye-gaze....al carry clear meaning and modify the message.

[Scuba]

24. Very interesting. I'll bet it's very useful in every day life. I had picked up on Boehner ...

... but not some of the other things you noticed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2238315

[onenote]

25. My in-depth analysis of your in-depth analysis

You reviewed a soundless few seconds of video and concluded it showed what you wanted it to show.

My take: the President and Boehner were having a light hearted exchange that Michelle found silly on the part of both men. That's based on years of getting that same look from my wife. And as far as the President's "shut out" -- he was turning back to face the room because Chuck Shumer, had just taken the podium to express the hope that everyone had enjoyed their lunch and to ask for a round of applause for all of the folks involved in making the lunch a succeess.

[tallahasseedem]

47. You got it!

I have made that eyeroll more than a few times after my husband and a friend laugh at things that were only funny to the two of them.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that it is standard among most wives!

[Generic Brad]

66. My wife makes that same look

I have seen that look on my wife's face too may times to count. It happens when someone who has hurt me sometime in the past makes a lame joke. She does not see the humor and attempts to cover up her repulsion.

It was like watching my wife at dinner with my family.

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. I'm not an accomplished lip reader; but ...

is Mrs. boehner saying "shut-up"? Twice ... once just after she turns her head away from boenher, while he's talking and then again, while she is looking down and reaching for something?

[onenote]

33. I'm curious at what point on the clip you think Mrs. Boehner is saying "shut up"

[1StrongBlackMan]

40. Right about ...

when the speaker says "... Round of applause ..."

[seabeyond]

41. blanche, what this close up does show is after obama lifts arm and rubs michelles back

THAT says he knew what was being said pissed her off.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

61. definitely!!

I can't see it...just looks like shadow behind her to me! ...., but if he is rubbing her back, definitely means "I know, honey. I'm with you..Try to stay calm. Keeeeeep smiliiiiiiing"

good relationship

[Lone_Star_Dem]

35. Did anyone else see the clip right before this one? Where he touches her arm?

I'm on my phone so I can't post it now, but I did someplace here yesterday in one of the eye roll threads. I saw it in The Atlantic Wire.

Here's the link so you folks can go check it out.

http://m.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/01/michelle-obama-john-boehner-eye-roll/61239/

Whatever they were talking about, she wasn't into being touched by Boehner, that's for sure.

[Rex]

36. MOs reaction - that wasn't just a partial eyeroll, but also a double headshake.

AS IN: Booze Man sure is a moran! Can't believe I have to sit next to him he smells like Gin and Tonic!

Notice Booze Man's wife (I am assuming that is who that is). Her head immediately snaps back to her plate imo saying, "Oh God...please make him shutup! This is embarrassing."

[BlancheSplanchnik]

62. yep.

Booze Man. Lol!

Tipsy McStaggers.

Yeesh, that was actually the name of a bar around here. Yecch. How cheezy.

[nyquil_man]

38. Perhaps he made a bad joke. Did you see his RNC speech? He makes a lot of them.

The President humored him. Briefly.

Nobody else did.

[fleur-de-lisa]

43. Cheetos! - LOL!

Where are the lip readers when you need them?

[iandhr]

44. Mrs. Boehner looks like she agrees with Michelle

[TlalocW]

48. The President and Boner made some sort of

Arcane reference/joke to Star Trek or said something like, "These aren't the droids you're looking for," or some other quote from a movie loved by nerds, and Michelle reacted like all of my girlfriends and most other women do when guys are guys.

TlalocW

[CoffeeCat]

49. Anyone read lips?

Seriously, there have been so many political scenes and circumstances--where lip reading was very much needed.

This is one of those circumstances!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

58. haaaaa! Apparently, someone did exactly that!

There's a thread up now. (I don't have the link...I'm on my mobile)

Seems Boner was an Oaf!


Color me orange surprised.

[Phentex]

50. Pretty spot on!

I love the eye roll!!!!!!!!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

63. she does not suffer fools gladly.

Seems like.

[randr]

51. Boner is bitchin about the peas on his plate

[BlancheSplanchnik]

64. of course. You know how repukes feel

About peace peas.

[DirkGently]

56. Yep. Boehner put his foot it in. Michelle's expression is priceless. nt

[erinlough]

67. I don't know what was going on in this particular situation, but

I know what this eye-roll means when I do it. It is my stock response to jokes about women that I am supposed to think are funny. I have made this same face for 60 years.

[seabeyond]

69. right on. every woman knows it and a few men defend the "joke" that the woman is just being

too sensitive.

arguing with a dude telling me tis funny, michelle being too sensitive.

this is supose to be the joke: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022240438#post1

[erinlough]

70. This makes sense, and that kind of joke is what I was talking about.

for confirmation watch the behavior of his wife. It is not that she really needed something in her purse, she is uncomfortable.

[seabeyond]

71. ya. exactly. all us women that have been around men that make this joke

behave just like this. BUT... there sure is a battle with men telling us we once again, dont know what the fuck we are talking about.

truly amazing. i have a better understanding why men repeat the same tired and old jokes. even when women tell them they arent funny, they ignore. cause it isnt about the women, it is a buddy buddy mock the woman joke.