Sadly, liars are everywhere.
They can be charming, convincing, and downright sneaky. But don’t be fooled by their smooth talk and seemingly sincere smiles. Beneath the surface, there are tell-tale signs that give them away. If you’re tired of being lied to, pay attention. Here are 13 behaviours that often indicate someone is being deceptive. It’s time to sharpen your B.S. detector and trust your gut.
They avoid direct eye contact.
Sure, some people are just shy, but a sudden aversion to eye contact can be a red flag. When someone’s fibbing, they often struggle to meet your gaze. They might look away, blink excessively, or stare at a fixed point. It’s like their eyes are trying to escape the lie.
Their body language contradicts their words.
Watch out for those non-verbal cues. A liar’s body language can be a dead giveaway. They might fidget, cross their arms, touch their face, or shift their weight from one foot to the other. These subtle signs of discomfort reveal the inner turmoil of a dishonest person.
Their stories are inconsistent or full of holes.
Liars often struggle to keep their stories straight. Their accounts might change from one telling to the next, or they might offer vague details and avoid specifics. Pay attention to inconsistencies, contradictions, and gaps in their narratives.
They overcompensate with details.
In an attempt to make their lies more believable, they might bombard you with excessive details. They might go on and on about irrelevant information, hoping to distract you from the truth. It’s a classic tactic of overcompensation.
They get defensive or evasive when questioned.
Honest people welcome questions and are happy to clarify any doubts. Liars, on the other hand, get defensive when challenged. They might become angry, change the subject, or deflect the blame onto other people. They’ll do anything to avoid admitting their deception.
They use qualifiers and vague language.
“To be honest,” “as far as I know,” “I think” – these are all qualifiers that liars use to create a sense of plausible deniability. They’re hedging their bets, leaving themselves room to backpedal if their lies are exposed. Pay attention to their choice of words.
They deflect blame and avoid taking responsibility.
Liars are masters of deflection. They’ll blame other people, external circumstances, or even you for their own shortcomings. They refuse to take ownership of their actions and will twist the narrative to make themselves look like the victim.
They change the subject or create distractions.
When the conversation gets too close to the truth, they’ll try to change the subject or create a diversion. They might bring up unrelated topics, crack a joke, or suddenly remember an urgent task they need to attend to. Anything to steer you away from the uncomfortable truth.
They minimise or downplay their actions.
When confronted with their lies, they might try to minimise the significance of their actions. They’ll claim it was just a little white lie, a harmless exaggeration, or a misunderstanding. They’ll try to make you believe it’s not a big deal.
They become overly emotional or dramatic.
Source: Unsplash Some liars resort to emotional manipulation to avoid facing the consequences of their deception. They might cry, get angry, or play the victim to elicit sympathy and avoid accountability. Don’t be fooled by their crocodile tears or theatrical outbursts.
They lack empathy and remorse.
Source: Unsplash Liars often lack genuine empathy for those they hurt with their dishonesty. They might feign remorse or apologise insincerely, but their words ring hollow. They don’t truly understand the pain and damage their lies have caused.
They offer unsolicited explanations and excuses.
Source: Unsplash Honest people don’t feel the need to over-explain or justify their actions. Liars, on the other hand, often offer unsolicited explanations and excuses, even when they haven’t been accused of anything. It’s like they’re trying to convince themselves as much as you.
They use charm and flattery to disarm you.
Source: Unsplash Liars can be incredibly charming and charismatic. They’ll shower you with compliments, make you feel special, and gain your trust. It’s all part of their manipulative strategy to make you believe their lies. Don’t let their charm blind you to their true intentions.
