Liars may be revealed

How to tell if someone is lying to you? There is no simple and clear answer to this question. However, some possibilities do exist. For most people, lying is associated with stress that is unconsciously reflected in their body language. Thus, watch carefully. If you notice at least four of the following signals, the probability of your being lied to is very high.

Illustration

1. Insincere smile

While a real smile raises the corners of people's eyes and changes the whole face, a fake smile shapes only the mouth.

2. Unnatural speed of response

Someone who planned to lie in advance will answer questions more quickly than usual. If you surprise them and they decide to lie suddenly, the response will come too late.

3. Verbal signals

Lying increases the tone of voice. Other striking verbal signals include incoherent speech and a special choice of words that do not respond to the question, or stuttering.

4. Increased or decreased saliva production

Notice a sudden swallowing or an increased need to drink.

5. Dilated pupils

This is one of the nonverbal signals most difficult to simulate.

6. Changes in blinking

When someone decides to lie, their blinking frequency becomes significantly lower. Right after telling the lie, it noticeably increases.

7. Foot movements

Nervousness when lying is also reflected in the intensity of foot movements. Watch, therefore, how calmly your counterpart sits.

8. Touching the face

Liars often involuntarily rub their nose, cover their mouth or eyes.

9. Inconsistency between words and gestures

When someone believes what they say, words and gestures are in harmony. If, however, words and gestures are contradictory, they are probably lying.

10. Changes in gestures

Liars' efforts to control their body language tend to cause other unnatural gestures. These include biting lips, rubbing hands, playing with jewellery or hair.

11. Fleeting expressions

If you notice an expression - albeit fleeting - that does not match the spoken words, believe what you see and not what you hear.

12. Dodging glance

After telling a lie, most liars immediately look downwards and away. Then they look at you again to see whether you believe them.

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Article source American Management Association - AMA official website
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