Agreed that this stuff is ridiculous but it’s not exclusive to America. Once you learn some of the tricks of image conscious politicians and business types you’ll see it all over. Remember the photos of Putin slouched in his chair next to Obama? Putins a shrimp compared to Obama, he tried to look disinterested and disrespectful rather than be compared next to him. It’s more than a height thing too. Placement of the hand when being photographed is a big one.