Liar, Liar

Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive!

Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17. Scottish author & novelist (1771 - 1832)

We all do it. Lie. For those of you, giving a vigorous shake of the head right now or eyebrow lift or head tilt....YES, you too .

Think about it. We all come with guises that force us into deceitful positions of varying degrees. As parents, we lie, Santa, Easter Bunny, birds and bees .......as employees we lie, about our reviews, confidential information, departmental secrets.

We call lying all sorts of names: fantasy, tact, comic relief, sensitivity, secrets, vows. Lets classify Liar's body language and varying degree of skills. Level one: Fibbers Level two: Scammers Level three: Paths (Pathological Liars)

Action	Details	Skill Level
Spatial Avoidance	Liars are generally uncomfortable facing those they lie to. Creating space between them and the victim.	Fibbers Scammers Paths
Hiding	Hiding behind objects, desks, doorways, counters etc.	Fibbers Scammers
Face/Mouth Cover	Direct mouth covering to lightly touching areas around the mouth, steepling on the lips etc.	Fibbers Scammers
Fidget	Nervous tapping, foot shaking, collar adjustments, lint picking, organizing items	Fibbers Scammers
Posture Changes	Crossing legs Tensing of shoulders	Fibbers Scammers
Eye Contact	Eye shifting and not looking directly at counterpart is a good indicator but the direction of the shift could be useful: Up-Right (Creating a visual lie) Right (Creating auditory lie) Please note down right is recalling feelings, not lying. Down-Right (Kinesthetic)	Fibbers Scammers Paths
Smiling	Plastering a smile on faces, giggling	Fibbers
Fake smiling	Smiling with lips only eyes not smiling	Fibbers Scammers
Slowing down	Walking and speaking slower	Scammers Paths
Behaviour Deviation	Any extreme changes in behaviour could possibly a sign of lying.	Fibbers
Delayed Emotion	Not displaying the appropriate emotional behaviour when making statement, but a few seconds afterwards. Often cutting the emotion short after it is displayed.	Scammers
Defensive	Displaying defensiveness behaviour instead of offensive behaviour	Fibbers Scammers Paths
Indirect Statements or answers	Avoiding using direct statements and quote that he said, she said. Answering with questions or humour	Fibbers, Scammers
Unnecessary Details	Giving far more detail than necessary	Fibbers,Scammers Paths