Here are 10 signs to recognize liars:
1. Excessive hand gestures are often a giveaway:
Liars often have their minds juggling multiple tasks at once, such as fabricating a story, gauging whether they’re being believed, and modifying the tale as they go, explains an expert. Additionally, you might observe that their gestures follow their statements, unlike natural gestures that typically precede speech.
A study found that liars are more prone to using both hands when gesturing. So, next time you suspect someone might not be telling the truth, pay close attention to their hand movements.
2. They either provide too little or too much information:
Researchers have found that when asked a question, liars tend to offer fewer details compared to those who tell the truth. Conversations with dishonest individuals often lack descriptive words and vivid explanations.
Truth-tellers generally stick to the same story each time, while liars frequently change their stories, often without adding meaningful details. On the flip side, some liars may try to compensate by being overly verbose. Their speech can be rambling and filled with unnecessary words, yet still lacking important information.
3. They frequently use pointing gestures:
When a liar becomes hostile or defensive, they are often trying to shift the focus away from their own dishonesty. They might accuse you of being untrusting or even make threats to distract from the truth. This defensive behavior is a tactic to make you doubt your own perceptions and questions.
4. They often shuffle their feet:
Shuffling feet can be a subtle indicator of dishonesty. When someone is lying, their autonomic nervous system can become activated, leading to signs of nervousness such as shifting or shuffling their feet. This behavior may reflect their discomfort and unease while fabricating the truth.
5. They often exhibit a delay in response:
If someone takes more than 5 seconds to answer a question, it could be a strong indicator of deception, expains an expert. Liars may pause as they try to craft a believable response while suppressing their true emotions. However, it’s important to consider whether the delay is due to the person’s natural speech pattern or simply because they are tired. Relying solely on response delays to detect dishonesty may not always be accurate.
6. They tend to sweat excessively:
When people lie, they often experience increased nervousness and discomfort, which can lead to noticeable sweating. You might see beads of sweat forming on their upper lip or forehead, warns Glass. This occurs because their autonomic nervous system is working overtime to manage the stress of deception. Keep in mind that sweating can also be a result of other factors, so it’s best to consider it alongside other signs of dishonesty.
7. They employ diversion tactics:
Liars often use various strategies to divert attention away from their deception, including:
Abruptly shifting the topic mid-sentence.
Using confusing or irrelevant statements to muddle the conversation.
Responding with questions, such as, “Why would I do that? I’m an honest person.”
8. They often move the left side of their lips more:
Observe the person’s lips during your conversation. Liars may exhibit increased movement on the left side of their smile, which can resemble a sneer. This asymmetry in their facial expressions might indicate an attempt to mask their true feelings.
9. They use language that conveys negative emotions:
Liars often resort to negative language, which can reflect their underlying anxiety or discomfort. They may appear nervous and complain more, using words that express negative emotions like “sad,” “hate,” or “worthless.” In contrast, truth-tellers are generally more cooperative and positive in their communication.
10. They hide their palms:
Palms are often displayed as a sign of openness. When someone is being dishonest, they might hide their palms to conceal their true feelings. You may notice them positioning their hands palm-down on a table, keeping their hands in their lap, or even putting their hands in their pockets. While hiding palms can indicate discomfort or deception, it’s also possible that they’re simply trying to appear more casual or have cold hands.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of detecting deception, why stop there? Imagine having the power to silently communicate confidence, build instant rapport, and even influence others’ perceptions of you — all without saying a word.
