How to Tell If Someone is Lying
Lying Eyes
When people are lying, they avoid looking directly into the eyes of the person they’re lying to. They fix their gaze on something else in the room, and they allow themselves to become distracted easily. Sometimes people make an effort to look others in the eye because they know others may be aware of the methods to detect a liar.
My son is amazed at my ability to tell when he is lying. I can almost always tell when he is being dishonest. As my son begins formulating his fallacious narration, he looks into my eyes without once moving his gaze, but his eyes widen and he doesn’t blink. I can tell by the look on my son’s face that he isn’t telling the truth. I’ve reminded him of my lie detecting abilities on more than one occasion, and he no longer tries to get away with lying.
DiversionTactics
Those who are lying tend to touch their faces when speaking. When people are lying they sometimes touch their nose, mouth, chin, and hair. Touching the face or hair is a sign of nervousness, and it’s a lame attempt to draw attention away from the lies being told. This is one form of a diversion.
When someone is approached with an uncomfortable topic, and when someone has lied in an attempt to avoid trouble, they sometimes abruptly change the subject. They will completely turn the topic around in an effort to distract the person speaking to them.
I made the mistake of hiring a contractor that was better at lying than working. It didn’t take me long to realize how this dishonest contractor used diversion tactics to avoid answering questions. He obviously wasn’t an intelligent individual, but he was quite good at lying. When bringing up issues surrounding the building project, the contractor wouldn’t answer me. Instead he would say something completely off the wall. He would mention subjects such as fishing, cars, and anything else to try and divert my attention away from the questions I had asked. When I didn’t fall for the contractor’s lame diversion tactics and pointed out that his bizarre comments had nothing to do with what I asked, he became irrate and told me to back off. I had backed the liar into a corner, and he didn’t know how else to react.
People who are lying will sometimes talk way too much. When asked a simple question someone who is lying will become extra friendly and go on to provide way more information than requested. This is an attempt to cover up lies. Someone who is lying will try to make you believe you are their new best friend. The liar will attempt to talk to you as they would a good friend, as if they’ve known you their entire life. Those in law enforcement can vouch for this. When asking a suspect a question regarding their behavior, a guilty person will often proceed to tell law enforcement officials detailed renditions regarding their morning breakfast or other ridiculous stories that have nothing to do with the situation.
Don’t allow suspected liars to get away with using diversion tactics. When confronting someone who is obviously lying, keep attention focused on the subject at hand. If someone lying tries to change the subject abruptly, ignore their comments and take control. Divert the liar right back to the original subject.
Demeanor
Those who are lying will often cross their arms in front of their body. This posture signifies someone is trying to protect themselves. They aren’t open to the subject at hand, and although they may be angry, they are withdrawing.
People who are lying will also have a hard time standing still. They may shift their weight from one side to the other. They might walk around or do other activities while speaking. Sitting on a tall stool while interrogating someone on a lower level is empowering to those trying to seek verity. Having someone sit down, and taking a stance above them will help draw out the truth.
