h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I believe that people are supposed to be lying if they rub their noses... Didn't Nixon do that rather a lot?

Also people tend to cover their mouths when lying, or in the case of men, move their lips.

Some people also rub the backs of their ears.

Lying is an interesting one.

First and foremost it is culturally specific which makes the USA an exceptional study with its diverse ethnic groups.

When people cover their mouths, in the UK at least, it is a sure sign that they are terrible self-conscious about what they are saying.

They may not have the courage of their convictions, may not be entirely sure of what they are saying, or are afraid of how their input will be received.

I have always found the easiest was to tell if someone is lying is when they wont look you in the eye. Also people who don't usually stutter start to. Thier ears turn red.

Don't start spreading the word about ears turning red when people lie! My ears turn red when I eat too much salt! In fact my right ear is burning up as we speak (buffalo wings, and too much sodium in my salad dressing!).

And I'm not lying about that!