"According to Sheri and Bob Stritof, authors of "Your Guide to Marriage" on about.com, there are specific verbal and nonverbal clues we all give when we tell a fib.
- Touching the chin or rubbing the brow
- Crossed arms or legs
- Playing with hair
- A line of perspiration on the brow if it isn't a warm day
- Saying "no" several times
- Continually denying accusations
- Being extremely defensive
- Providing more information and specifics than necessary
- Inconsistencies in what is being shared
- Body language and facial expressions don't match what is being said such as saying "no," but nodding the head up and down
- Smugness
- Placing a barrier, such as a desk or chair, in front of self
- Uncommon calmness
- Unwillingness to touch spouse during conversation
- Being hesitant
- Slouching posture
- Rigidity or fidgeting
- Differing behaviors; not acting in a usual fashion
- Unnatural or limited arm and hand movements
- Partial shrug
- Lack of finger pointing
- Unusual voice fluctuations, word choice, sentence structure
- Stalling the conversation by repetitive use of pauses and comments like "um" or "you know"
- Lack of use of contractions; prefers emphasizing "not" when talking
- Avoidance of eye contact, eyes glancing to the right, staring past you, or turning away from you while talking"
