Thread by @startupdaemon

How to Deal with Lying and Keep Liars Guessing

>>> Everybody lies. <<<

Which makes lies easier to navigate than you might think.

But too many people are too lo-awarenes to pay attention to anyone but themselves.

1. Always approach people as if they are telling what they hold as fact.

Otherwise you will only exhaust yourself prosecuting every little thing. Your facade of naivety will also encourage the snakes in your life to crawl out from under their rocks.

2. Understand that lying is something most people do compulsively - to protect a fragile ego - so don't take it personally.

Pay attention.

Use people's propensity for casual lying as a measure of character and avoid the worst offenders like the plague.

3. To extract confessions from people who appear to be hiding something important, let your incredulity become obvious.

The liar will come out with more lies to cover up what was said previously - overcompensation is a surefire tell.

4. Appear much dumber and naiver than people around you – that will entice the worst liars to toy with you or go lazy with the cheapest lies.

This will shock you: perceived naivety will often encourage people to confide in you more, not less.

5. Beware people who lie about trivial things – they've no control over their lying, lie to themselves and submit to a compulsion of self-delusion.

Such people may seem easy to manage and manipulate, but in the long run they cause a lot more damage than they're worth. Stay away!

6. To deter lying around you, embarrass a few liars publicly - but indirectly - by playing the fool. Let them impale themselves on their own lies.

7. Extreme honesty usually only covers up a bigger lie.

Watch out for people who suddenly bring you into their confidence - they are either fickle and emotional or you're being conned.

(That's one reason they call it a confidence game.)