How to Recognize a Liar

Learn The Signs Of A Lie

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm usually not the suspicious type, but I think my girlfriend is cheating on me. Last Tuesday evening she didn't answer her home or cell phone, and when she finally called me back the next day I got this long dramatic story about where she had been and why she couldn't call me right back. This wasn't the first time this has happened, and while I don't want to falsely accuse her, I don't want to be a fool either. Are there any tips you could give me on how to tell if she's lying?

Sincerely,

Tell the Truth

A:

Dear Tell the Truth, 

You bet!  There are definitely some signs you can look for, here they are:

Liar, liar, pants on fire -- The telltale signs that what someone is telling you is a serious smoke screen:

• Information Overload: You ask a simple question and get a complex, long, drawn out, (too) detailed explanation, with way more information than necessary. Liars try to convince by revealing too much information and too many "facts," rather than conveying a simple answer to a question.
   
• Informational inconsistencies or lack of logic to statements, the stories seem too dramatic or unrealistic. 
   
• Physical discomfort -- blushing, sweating, leg jiggling, scratching a maddening itch.
   
• Inappropriate body movement -- unexplained smirks, inadvertent shrugs, lack of eye contact or shifty eyes, and inappropriate smiles. 
   
• Changes in speech patterns -- hesitations, odd phrases, slips of the tongue, or quickened speech.
   
• Repetition: Repeating questions can be sign of someone buying time to formulate her or his lie. 
   
• A strong feeling that something is not right. If your gut tells you that "something's up" with what someone is telling you, pay close attention to their behavioral patterns (how a person sits, gestures, looks at you, responds, talks, etc.), listen for inconsistencies in information and watch for too much information -- someone who is trying to convince you with too many facts, rather than convey.

Click the below links for more relationship advice, dating tips for guys and tips on infidelity.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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