1.   He gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

2.   Barely weeks before his visit to Chile, the president was delivering the same encouraging pat on the back to Africans.

3.   Spouses and children rarely get the encouraging pats on the back, yet have to be there when reality comes crashing down.

4.   Despite its expanded role, Russia will not necessarily come away with much more than an encouraging pat on the back.