Spotting a liar - Lessons from Bill Clinton

Again, this is not a blog for political discussion... but, sometimes, events that happen in politics can provide a good base for writing.

And, this one is quite dated. But still very illustrative.

Remember Bill Clinton's dramatic and emphatic statement to the press, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman?"

Well, no matter where you sit on the political spectrum, he was clearly lying.

And, in that short statement, he illustrated many of the things that liars do when they make statements. And these are lessons you can take home when you read a woman's profile.

Again, you can carry this advice too far. Some people might make these mistakes and be telling the truth. Some are just trying a little too hard to impress.

But, keep these in the back of your mind as "red flags". Something to look out for later.

Sentence length
First of all, take a look at that sentence.

It's much longer than it needs to be.

In fact, if the question was asked by the press, he could have just said "No." One word.

"It didn't happen." Three words.

If he needed to get formal, he could stretch it out to, "I've never had sex with her." Six words.

He took nine words.

People use more words when they feel they need to be more emphatic or convincing.

For example, when they're lying.

Overformal language

When people are trying to be "too convincing", they also tend to use formal language.

Much more formal than what people say in everyday life.

Bill Clinton? He used, "I did not". In most circumstances, I'd say, "I didn't".

And when was the last time you talked to friend about the girl you "had sexual relations with?"

(I'll let you come up with the phrase that you'd actually use.)

Again, overformal language means that a person is trying hard to convince you.

And when they're working that hard... they're usually insecure about what they're saying.

Overemphasis

Of course, most of you probably remember Clinton's measured, forceful statement, complete with stiff fist-pounding when he said his famous statement.

Obviously, people can't talk forcefully, point, stare, or stiffen when they write something in their profile.

But they put in words that seem unnecessary.

Words like, "really", "truly", and "honestly". And other words that are meant to reassure you of their honesty.

When you say a true statement, how often do you emphasize how true it is?

Not much, I'd bet.

If they feel that need to convince you... odds are pretty good that they're stretching the truth.