We all tell white lies here and there that are generally harmless to the trust you have built in your relationships. However, if you feel as though your partner is hiding something huge, here are 17 of the tell-tale signs.
They Avoid Eye Contact
It is often said that the eyes can speak more than words ever could. If your partner suddenly avoids looking you in the eye, it is a classic sign that there is something they are concealing from you. Psychology Today suggests that ‘people who are under heavy cognitive load tend to avoid direct eye contact.’
Their Stories Keep Changing
If someone constantly changes their narrative, whether it be minor details or parts of the story missing, that is a sure signal of a bent truth. It’s harder to keep track of a lie, and the person ends up having to build on their fabrication to back up what they have already said.
They Are Overly Vague
Is your partner usually excited to tell you every detail of their day, but one day, begins to be a little more vague? If so, it could indicate evasiveness. They may give general answers in the hope that you won’t dig deeper and will brush over answering questions if you do decide to probe them for specifics.
They Provide Too Much Information
It is advised to be wary if a liar overloads you with an excessive number of details, almost as though they are trying too hard to tell a story. This can be perceived as a clever tactic to sound more convincing, but it is a huge warning sign that they are overcompensating for something.
They Change the Subject
While it isn’t the most subtle way to divert someone’s attention away from a lie, shifting a conversation abruptly is a common method among liars. People often rely on this method when they want to swerve or get out of talking about topics that make them uncomfortable. If you notice this happening regularly, it might be time to start questioning.
They Have Inconsistent Body Language
Shortform outlines the body language cues for lying as ‘taking long pauses before answering, anxious fidgeting, and inconsistency between speech and action.’ If your loved one is displaying any of these, it could mean that they are feeling discomfort because of the need to think on their feet rather than feeling the ease of telling the truth.
Their Tone and Speech Patterns Change
Similar to body language, subtle changes in speech can also give a liar away. If your partner’s tone goes higher in pitch or they start speaking with more urgency, their nerves may be getting to them. Do you have a suspicion that someone is lying to you? Watch out for how they speak; their voice might just betray them.
They Have a History of Dishonesty
People can change, but it’s common for past behavior to be a good predictor of future actions. Those with a reputation for lying are likely to strike again and have all the well-practiced tactics in their arsenal to try and get away with it, so be aware.
They Get Caught in Small Lies
Do you keep catching your partner red-handed, telling minor fibs? You may think that these can simply be brushed off as insignificant, but honesty is crucial in relationships, and these little nuggets of misinformation can slowly erode your trust over time and cause bigger problems down the line.
They Seem Unusually Nervous
When a person puts themselves under pressure to build a lie, they often become stressed or nervous. The classic involuntary acts of nervousness include sweating, fidgeting, and a tendency to blink excessively. If your partner is displaying these physical signs, things might not be quite as they seem.
They Overuse Humor
Liars often use humor to deflect serious questions, deceiving the person they are concealing the truth from. Your partner may joke around or act silly to avoid answering direct questions, and while humor is important in relationship dynamics, it should never be a replacement for honest communication.
They Are Unusually Evasive
Acting evasively is a tell-tale sign of dishonesty, especially when it becomes a pattern. Time Magazine tells us that ‘liars often reduce the number of times that they say words such as “I,” “me,” and “mine,” and use “him” and “her” rather than people’s names,’ which correlates with indirect answers and dancing around certain subjects.
They Have Sudden Mood Swings
There are many reasons why your partner may be experiencing mood swings, but it is often a result of stress, and you might question whether it is because they are lying about something. If you notice this occur more than once, take a moment to try and engage in an honest and open conversation.
They Have Unexplained Absences
Have you noticed that your partner sometimes disappears without an explanation? While we mustn’t jump to conclusions, this can be very suspicious and needs to be addressed if it is bothering you. Trust in relationships is built on mutual respect and transparency.
They Overreact to Accusations
No one likes being accused of wrongdoings when they are innocent, and we may act defensively without realizing it. However, displaying a pattern of overreaction when questioned indicates that something is being concealed, and while it often leads to a heated conflict, it is not to be ignored.
They Make Unusual Efforts to Please You
Guilt makes people do strange things or act in a completely different way than they normally would. This can manifest in actions such as trying too hard to please the person they are lying to by buying them gifts or complimenting them more. Try not to just lap it up; consider why they are acting this way.
They Get Defensive Quickly
Defensiveness is often a product of guilt. If your partner overreacts to simple questions or accuses you of asking too much, you should be suspicious. However unpleasant it may be, they may rely on this tactic to guard themselves. The Sales Experts write that a liar ‘is so scared of being caught that every defense mechanism kicks in’ when confronted.
Up Next: 17 Commonly Believed Myths About The Wild West That Are Actually False
The Wild West was a peculiar place to live in, for sure. But are the stories of gunslinging cowboys and superhero sheriffs true? Here are 17 myths about the Wild West you should stop believing today.
17 COMMONLY BELIEVED MYTHS ABOUT THE WILD WEST THAT ARE ACTUALLY FALSE
18 Signs Someone Has a Personality Disorder
Personality disorders are underdiagnosed because they’re often misconceived as people ‘being difficult.’ Society also tends to focus more on the symptoms of anxiety and depression that accompany personality disorders, neglecting the other signs. To promote understanding, here are 18 signs someone isn’t being difficult but has a personality disorder.
18 SIGNS SOMEONE HAS A PERSONALITY DISORDER
20 Reasons Why Older Couples Are Ending Their Relationships
As our society modernizes and normalizes separation for couples who feel unhappy or stagnated, even older couples are choosing to end their marriages in greater numbers. While staying “till death do us part” and spending your golden years with a life-long partner may be more traditional, here are 20 reasons why older people might now be choosing divorce instead.