9 non-obvious signs you’re dealing with a seasoned liar

Liars. They’re everywhere. But the seasoned ones, they’re a special breed.

You see, these folks have mastered the art of deception, and they do it so well that you may not even realize you’re being deceived.

It’s not always the obvious signs – the fidgeting, the stammering, or averting gaze. Seasoned liars have moved beyond these amateur moves.

In this article, we’re going to delve into the subtle signs that indicate you’re dealing with a seasoned liar. It’s not about accusing, it’s about staying informed.

So, buckle up and let’s get into these 9 non-obvious signs you’re dealing with a seasoned liar.

1) They’re too detailed

Experienced liars know that a vague story can raise suspicion. So, they go the other way – they overload you with details.

When someone is telling the truth, they’ll usually stick to the main points. But a seasoned liar will give you an elaborate story with lots of unnecessary details, all in an attempt to make their lies seem more credible.

Notice too much information? Details that seem irrelevant? These could be red flags.

2) They avoid using contractions

This one caught me off-guard. I mean, who would’ve thought that the way someone uses contractions could be a sign of lying? But it’s true.

I remember dealing with a coworker who always had an excuse for missing deadlines. One day, I noticed how she said, “I did not miss the deadline.” Instead of saying, “I didn’t miss the deadline.”

It struck me as odd because most of us use contractions in casual conversations. It’s natural. But experienced liars often avoid them because they want to emphasize their innocence.

Sure enough, after a little digging, I found she’d been missing her deadlines all along. It was a subtle sign, but it was there.

3) They touch their face a lot

Though being more subtle than the above, it’s still worth mentioning the face-touching sign.

You see, when people lie, their anxiety levels increase. This can cause an itching sensation on the face or neck. As a result, seasoned liars could still touch their face a lot when they’re spinning a yarn, just like other less-competent liars.

This behavior is rooted in our primal instincts. In the animal kingdom, self-grooming is often used as a way to diffuse stress or conflict. It’s a nonverbal way to say, “I come in peace.”

So next time you notice someone touching their face a lot while talking, it might be worth paying a little extra attention to what they’re saying.

4) They hold their body unnaturally still

It’s natural to move a little when we’re talking. Hand gestures, shifting weight, even just nodding our head. But when someone is lying, they might hold their body unnaturally still.

This is because they’re trying to control their body language and avoid giving away any telltale signs of lying.

So if you notice that someone is unusually still when they’re speaking to you, approach what they’re saying with caution.

5) They repeat phrases or questions

Seasoned liars often use repetition as a tool to buy time and think through their lie. They might repeat your question, or they might repeat a phrase from their own story.

For instance, if you ask, “Where were you last night?” and they respond, “Where was I last night? Well, I was…” – it could be a sign that they’re stalling for time to fabricate a story.

Similarly, they might overuse certain phrases in their narrative as they attempt to reinforce the lie in their own mind and yours.

These repetitions might be subtle, but once you start noticing them, they can be a strong signal that something’s off.

6) Their emotions don’t match their words

We’ve all been there. A friend tells you they’re fine, but their voice quivers, and their eyes well up. It’s clear they’re not okay.

The same mismatch can happen when dealing with seasoned liars, except it tends to be less heartfelt and more deceptive.

They might tell you a heartbreaking story with a completely neutral expression. Or they may express anger without any real heat behind it. This inconsistency is often a telltale sign that they’re not being genuine.

7) They provide too many references

I learned this one the hard way. A few years back, I was buying a used car. The seller seemed upfront, but he kept dropping names of mechanics, previous owners, even his neighbor who apparently loved this car.

As it turned out, he was trying to create a false sense of security around the sale. Once I had the car checked by my mechanic, we found a slew of issues that had been brushed under the rug.

Seasoned liars often use references to make their lies seem more credible. They’ll casually drop names or events to make their story more believable. So if someone is overloading their story with references, it might be worth digging a little deeper.

8) They avoid direct statements of dishonesty

Seasoned liars also have a knack for avoiding direct lies. Instead, they use half-truths, omissions, and misdirection to create a false impression.

For example, if asked directly, “Did you take the missing money?” they might dodge with, “Do you really think I would do something like that?”

This evasion allows them to avoid outright lying while still misleading the person asking the question.

9) They change their head position quickly

When someone is telling the truth, their body language and words are usually in sync. But when someone is lying, there might be a disconnect. A quick change in head position can be one such giveaway.

If you ask a direct question, and they suddenly shift their head – maybe they were looking left and now they’re looking right – it could be a sign that they’re not being truthful.

This sudden movement often happens right before the person is about to lie. It’s a physical manifestation of their discomfort with the truth. So, keep an eye out for these sudden shifts. They might just help you catch a seasoned liar in action.

Parting thoughts: The art of discernment

Interpreting human behavior is a nuanced art built on both instinct and understanding. Recognizing the signs of a seasoned liar is a part of this art, rooted in our social interactions and survival instincts.

So when you spot these 9 non-obvious signs, remember that it’s not about pointing fingers or creating conflict. It’s about discernment. It’s about understanding the subtleties of human behavior which are often hidden beneath the surface.

Because at the end of the day, staying informed and aware is one of our best defenses against deception. The more we learn to read these subtle signs, the better we can navigate our relationships and interactions with honesty and integrity.