12 Ways to Know If Someone Is Lying Right to Your Face
We’re all a little gullible, so we don’t always know if someone is being truthful. However, knowing when someone is lying to us is essential because it saves us time and humiliation. It also saves us from being with someone who we can’t trust to keep things straight. And although they might not all be there, here are some signs that tell you someone is lying through their teeth.
They Avoid Eye Contact
When someone lies, they can’t maintain eye contact. This usually happens subconsciously, so they might not even realize they’re avoiding your eye. It’s just their mind’s way of tricking their body into giving up the truth. If you ask someone something and they make it a point not to look into your eyes, it means they’re feeling guilty and awkward.
They Shift Their Body Position Frequently
Lying often makes a person nervous because they’re afraid of being caught out. The anxiety and fear make them incredibly fidgety, so they’ll shift their body position frequently as if they’re physically uncomfortable and can’t rest. You’ll find them changing angles, adjusting their arms, tapping their legs, and generally being much more active than usual.
They Hesitate Before Answering Questions
While hesitation isn’t always a definite sign of someone lying, it’s often the most common one. People who lie aren’t usually swift at answering questions because they need time to think about how to cover their tracks. The longer they hesitate, the more it could mean that they’re lying and seeking an out.
Their Story Changes Slightly Over Time
Inconsistent stories are a tell-tale sign of lying, but you have confirmation when they ever slightly change the details over time. This subtle and gradual change happens for two reasons: firstly, they can’t remember the details themselves because they are covering up for themselves. Secondly, subtle changes make it easier for them to gaslight you into thinking they never lied.
They Offer Too Much Information
Usually, people who lie aren’t really privy to sharing details. But ironically, if they’re oversharing to the point every sort of information lines up with your questions a little too perfectly, it might mean they’ve figured out a way to concoct the perfect lie. This also means they’re offering too much information without you even asking, suggesting they’re overexplaining themselves.
They Speak With A Higher Pitch
Speaking with a higher pitch is often a sign that someone is lying. While it might not be an accurate sign, many people subconsciously speak in a higher pitch because they’re nervous and can’t really do much about it. You’ll realize they’re lying when their voice changes tones only specifically when dealing with a topic that might put them on the spot.
They Avoid Using Specifics
If someone is trying to mask an event or habit from you, they’ll try to portray it generally. For example, a person who’s lying about where they were will often say ‘the grocery store or the neighbors’ instead of specifying which ones. Similarly, when asked about their actions or behaviors, they’ll give generic answers like ‘running errands’ and won’t really expand on them.
They Shift Blame Quickly
A liar is always quick to shift blame because they’re looking for an exit. Shifting blame allows them to clear themselves from any confrontation and redirect the situation to someone else. It is also a great way to manipulate the events around them, so they’ll often support their blame with previous events in hopes of correlating them.
They Repeat Questions Before Answering
While this habit is usually exaggerated in movies and TV shows, it still rings true to some extent. People who lie, especially those who aren’t good at it, take time to process what they’re asked. They’ll work out your questions because it makes it easier for them to process things and digest the situation. It’s especially true if they’re repeating every question, which means they’re no longer in shock but are trying to think fast.
They Avoid Direct Statements
A liar always avoids direct statements and answers because vagueness favors their situation. You could ask them about their whereabouts, and they’ll respond by giving you multiple locations. You could ask them a simple yes or no question, and they’ll respond with vague answers like ‘I guess’ or ‘Maybe.’ This is because they don’t want to implicate themselves, so they’ll still have grounds to reject accusations in the future.
They Change The Subject Abruptly
One of the most common panic responses from people who are lying is changing the subject. They often do it subconsciously, so they might not realize they’re giving away their position. They’ll change the subject or frequently try to talk over it, hoping to diminish the conversation altogether. If they seem eager to exit out of a conversation, you know what’s up.
They React Defensively
A liar always suspects people are onto them, so they’ll react similarly. Since they think you’re out to get them, they’ll handle every bit of conversation and attempt communication aggressively. They’ll react defensively, questioning your motives and intentions and trying to paint you in a bad light because they’re afraid of being caught in a lie.
More For You
No matter the relationship, you should always be honest with one another if you truly value the person, especially in a marital relationship. Couples who are not honest may drift apart sooner than the ones who stay truthful. If your partner is getting distant from you, watch out for these stress factors and work on the issues before it’s too late.
This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
