Is it usually as dramatic as that, or are you exaggerating for illustration? Those differences seem like they could possibly be very subtle. Also, since I read you live in Alaska, I did imagine that you probably had a big beard.

Often, the body plays a larger role in languages than at first glance, but in very important ways. For example, in many Asian cultures, pointing with one finger is terribly rude, but using the whole, open hand with the fingers fully extended and together with the thumb held close, is acceptable. Also, the 'come here' motion, made with the palm up, with the index finger beckoning, is really rude and generally used to call dogs and children. More polite is to extend the arm, and loosely flapping a relaxed hand downward.

The closest things I've experienced to what you show, are 'no' in Vietnamese, which is written: không. It looks like it might sound like 'kong' with an aspirated 'k' but it sounds more like 'howm' with a short, sharp 'h' from the back of the throat. Furthermore, as the word ends with the lips together and the cheeks puffed.

Another one is in the Philippines where many people point with the lips. As a kid, I didn't realize that that gesture was uncommon in America until I was asked about it.

Is Inupiat a tough language?