Navigating the world of interpersonal relationships can be tricky, and sometimes it’s hard to detect when someone isn’t telling the truth. However, humans are not as good at lying as they might think. Most of us can tell when we are being lied to, but sometimes liars get the best of us. There are often telltale signs – physical and verbal – that indicate when someone is not being completely truthful. Here are ten signs that you’re being lied to:
1. Touching the throat.
One of the first signs that someone might be lying to you is if they touch their throat. This is a subconscious gesture that can indicate discomfort or nervousness, which are common reactions when someone is not telling the truth. When liars feel threatened, they may try to cover their suprasternal notch. The suprasternal notch is the small hollow located at the base of the throat where the clavicle bones meet. This is a highly vulnerable part of the body and liars will subconsciously conceal this area as a psychological defense mechanism when under the threat of being discovered. It’s not a definitive sign of dishonesty, but it’s worth paying attention to, especially if you notice it along with other signs.
2. Covering the mouth.
Another common sign of lying is when a person covers their mouth. This could be a subconscious attempt to hide the lie or to stop oneself from revealing too much. Again, this is not a guarantee that someone is lying, but it’s an indication that something might be off. When a person does not want to address an issue or answer a question, they often cover their mouth with their hands. This tends to happen automatically and it can be a signal that they are not being open.
3. Jerky Head Movement.
Jerky or sudden head movements can also suggest that someone is not being truthful. This can be a sign of nervousness or discomfort. If the person you’re talking to suddenly starts moving their head in an unusual way, it could be a signal that they’re not being entirely honest with you. Strange head posturing in response to a direct question may indicate deception. The head may be tilted back, forward or cocked to the side just before they respond to a question.
4. Blinking.
While it’s normal for people to blink when they talk, excessive blinking can be a sign of lying. This is because lying often causes stress, which can lead to increased blink rate. So, if you notice that someone is blinking more than usual while they’re speaking to you, they could be trying to deceive you. Too little blinking may be due to a deliberate effort to control and suppress the telltale stress symptoms.
5. Vague Details.
When someone is lying, they often provide vague or incomplete details about a situation. This is because they’re trying to avoid getting caught in their lie. They err on the side of caution and avoid divulging too much detail that would force them to think hard in order to keep their false story consistent with known facts. If the person you’re talking to is being unusually vague or evasive, with a lack of specificity and a tendency to repeat the same details over and over, it could be a sign that they’re not telling the whole truth.
6. Too Many Details.
Conversely, providing too many details can also be a sign of lying. When people lie, they often feel the need to justify their lie or make it seem more believable, so they might provide more details than necessary. If someone’s story seems overly detailed with an abundance of gratuitous details in excess of what they are being asked, it could be a sign that they’re not being truthful.
7. Sustained Eye Contact.
While maintaining eye contact is usually regarded as a sign of honesty, sustained or intense eye contact can indicate the opposite. When hiding something, a liar may try to maintain eye contact as an attempt to adopt “honest” body language. The forced eye contact will appear odd and unnatural and may resemble a deer caught in headlights. So, if someone’s eye contact seems too intense, it could be a sign that they are being deceptive.
8. Heavy Breathing.
Heavy breathing can also be a sign of lying. When people lie, their heart rate often increases, leading to heavier breathing. This is a physical sign of the stress and anxiety that can often accompany lying from a normal person. However, certain types of people such as psychopaths do not experience the same stress and fear response that normal people do. Such individuals are capable of lying without a hint of worry.
9. Hostility.
Hostility or defensiveness can be another sign that someone is lying. When people lie, they often feel threatened or cornered, which can lead to hostile or defensive behavior. If someone becomes unusually defensive or hostile when you question them, it could be an over-response and an attempt to turn the tables on their inquisitor. A liar may get defensive when they feel their cover is about to be blown. A last ditch effort in their denial is to adopt a false moral indignation attempting to discredit shame the other person. They may also exhibit a lot of finger pointing.
10. Throat Clearing.
Finally, frequent throat clearing can be a sign of deception. This is another physical symptom of the stress and nervousness that often accompany lying. Clearing of the throat is natural, but if a person does this or a significant swallow prior to answering a question, they may be preparing to tell an untruth. Swallowing hard may indicate they are experiencing a spike in anxiety which can cause dryness and discomfort in the throat.
Remember, these signs are not definitive proof that someone is lying, but they can serve as indicators. Always consider the context and the person’s usual behavior before jumping to conclusions. And remember, honesty is always the best policy!
sources: Psychology Today
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My husband lies to me. I have discovered a few big ones in the past 2 1/2 years. I’m sad because I wouldn’t have married him if he would’ve told me the truth in the beginning. Now I’m stuck. I mean, not totally stuck, but I have to figure things out-if I stay or should I leave. His lies are big lies, I doubt he’ll change that. I don’t like liars. So you see we’re at an impasse.