It can be very damaging to suspect that someone is lying but knowing how to identify logical suspicions from those which may not have real basis can be very freeing. It is no secret that everyone is capable of lying and in some instances, lying can cause no harm, however in business and in some facets of personal interactions, knowing how to spot a lie is definitely an asset. Below are some tells that you can use to know if someone is lying.
Overuse of Qualifying Language
Persons who are lying often want to remind others that there is no way they could be lying. This goes with them using phrases like “in absolute honesty…”, “I swear on ___”, and so on. They work so hard to emphasize that they’re telling the truth to cover up their lies.
Too Consistent Stories
Contrary to popular belief, a person who is telling the truth may tell slightly varying stories because when someone retells a story, doing so is actually a recounting of the last time the story was told. Having no changes at all may mean that the story is a rehearsed version of the truth. Nothing more than a fabrication.
Emphasized Nos
When someone places an emphasis on the word no, either by changing expression, tone, or body language when saying it, it is a tell that they are lying because their body knows they are not telling the truth and thus acts out. Examples are closing eyes or slowly blinking while saying no, saying no with hesitation, or saying no in a prolonged manner.
Suspicious Expressions
Someone who is lying may act in a way that is contrary to the way they usually do. Example is a person who is usually soft spoken but now suddenly tells a story with a loud voice and lots of arm movements. Other signs are fake smiles, blinking too much, blushing, or flushing. Remember though that these are just possible indicators and do not guarantee that someone is lying.
Repeating Your Question
This could be an attempt to stall, to fake a response, or a play to make it seem like the person wants to give a sincere response. Though this can just be because someone didn’t hear the question correctly, repeated use can help you identify a liar.
Wanting to Put an End to Everything
Lying is psychologically, physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing so a person who is lying will understandably not want to have to lie again by forcing the conversation to end as soon as possible. An abrupt change of subject or refusing to address some things are also under this.
Too Many Superlatives
Liars often insist on peppering their speech with unnecessary words to distract you, make their argument seem more valid, or to shut you down.
Incongruent Emotions
Someone who is sad shouldn’t be smiling when talking and someone who’ve just heard about a terrible news wouldn’t be cracking jokes about it. Inconsistencies with speech and emotion is a huge clue that someone may be lying.
