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THE NOSE RUB
4 THE COLLAR PULL
Sometimes the Nose Touch can be sev-
Desmond Morris was one of the first
eral quick rubs below the nose or it may
to discover that lies cause a tingling
be one quick, almost imperceptible nose
sensation in the delicate facial and neck
touch. The important thing to remember
tissues. This accounts for why people
is that this type of action should be read
scratch their neck, and also why some
in clusters and in context; the person
people use the Collar Pull when they lie.
could have hay fever or a cold.
Increased blood pressure from the deceit causes sweat to form on the neck when
2 THE MOUTH COVER The hand covers the mouth as the brain
the deceiver feels that you suspect he’s not telling the truth.
subconsciously instructs it to try to suppress the deceitful words. Sometimes
5 THE EYE RUB
this gesture might only be several
The Eye Rub is the brain’s attempt to
fingers over the mouth or even a closed
block out the deceit, doubt, or distasteful
fist. Some people try to disguise the
thing it sees, or to avoid having to look at
Mouth Cover gesture by fake coughing.
the face of the person who is being lied to. Men usually rub their eyes vigorously
3 THE EAR PULL
or completely look away. Women use
This is a symbolic attempt by the
small, gentle touching motions just below
listener to “hear no evil”: trying to block
the eye or avoid just look away.
the words he is hearing by putting the hand around or over the ear or tugging
6 THE NECK SCRATCH
at the earlobe. Other variations of the
The Neck Scratch shows uncertainty.
Ear Grab include rubbing the back of the
The index finger—usually of the writing
ear, pulling at the ear-lobe, or bending
hand—scratches the side of the neck
the entire ear forward, covering the ear
below the earlobe for an average of five
hole completely.
times. This gesture is a signal of doubt or uncertainty and is characteristic of the person who says, “I’m not sure I agree.” It is very noticeable when the verbal language contradicts it.
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