If you’ve ever had to deal with a liar, you know it can be tough to tell the difference. People lie for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s to spare their feelings, avoid uncomfortable situations, or simply because it feels good.
There are some subtle clues that a person might be lying that can help you spot them. These include body language queues that a vetted body-language expert recommends paying attention to.
Lying is a pervasive part of human life. It’s what helps us get ahead, avoid legal and social penalties, and keep people around who are trustworthy and loyal.
So, when you suspect a liar in your life, it’s important to know how to spot them and get the truth. Here are 3 rare ways that liars don’t tell the truth:
The liar’s words don’t flow like they usually do. They might have major hesitations or stutters. This could indicate that they’re struggling to keep their mouth shut, and it can be a sign that they’re lying.
Liars also tend to use more third-person pronouns than truth tellers or omitters, a way to distance themselves from the lie, according to Van Swol.
Another liar-spotting tip is to pay attention to the liar’s posture. They’ll try to minimize their body movements, as they want to appear smaller and more innocuous than they are.
This is often a subconscious action that deceivers don’t even realize they’re doing, says persuasion and hidden-emotion expert Maria Dimitriu. She explains that they might be trying to put up a barrier between themselves and you, so that they can keep the conversation private. They may clench their fists, pull their arms inward, or avoid eye contact.
If they are changing the subject, it’s a good sign they aren’t telling you the truth. As Bright Side’s linguistic wizard Dimitriu explains, it’s not uncommon for someone to change the subject in the middle of a conversation in an attempt to avoid having to answer a question you might have asked them. It’s also a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for red herrings, like when they tell you their phone is broken and then offer up their most recent text message.
The best way to figure out whether or not your partner is lying to you is to take a step back and listen to them. You might be surprised at the things they are not saying or the things they will tell you if you ask nicely. Lastly, let them know you’re still interested in their story even if they aren’t completely open about it. Hopefully, that will make them feel more at ease with you and allow you to move on to the next phase of your relationship. By the end of the day, you’ll both be better off for having had the courage to tell your significant other the truth about you and your partner.
A liar may take measures to avoid your question by avoiding eye contact or changing their facial expressions. This is a common way for liars to hide their true emotions and could be a sign that they’re uncomfortable with being questioned, according to a study published in the Journal of Communication.
Another common behavior of a liar is to keep their eyes on the wall or another person while they’re talking. This tactic can be a good way to avoid your questions, but if they do it too often, it’s a red flag that they’re lying to you.
To help you detect deception, former FBI criminal profiler Gregg McCrary recommends paying attention to a person’s speech pattern and mannerisms while asking them questions. These cues may change when a person lies, as reported by Real Simple.
A liar may also go the extra mile by maintaining longer eye contact than they usually do, according to Traci Brown, author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft. This can be an indication that they’re nervous about the situation and trying to control you.