“We didn’t do anything!” and other Pinocchio stories

Listening to cheaters when they have been caught can be humorous and enlightening. What they did is no laughing matter. They caused real damage. The entertainment comes from the many ways they attempt weaseling out from being caught. It is hard to listen without reacting, yet if and when you do, consider the logic of their statements.

“We didn’t do anything!” This is a statement often indicative that something happened. The statement begins with a denial, then uses such a wide generalization, it covers everything. This is close to a double-negative statement, which, in terms of logic is an admission that something did occur. Had they said, “We did not have sex!” or “We did not kiss, touch or fondle!” the specificity would be believable. I am always suspicious when the general terms of ‘anything’ and ‘nothing’ are used. When such general terms are used, they often cover a multitude of evils. Since they cover such a wide range of behaviors, they do not address the specifics.

One of the quirks about liars who tell a big one when they are not pathological liars is that their non-verbal behaviors often give them away. They may deny something happening, yet their head is nodding as if saying ‘yes’. Be alert to such quirks. These quirks often provide clues as to what is actually going on. Another quirk is when they touch their nose a lot. This ‘Pinocchio’ type effect often happens when people are lying, along with looking down when telling a big one. These guidelines are not 100% accurate, but they are right more times than not, UNLESS you are dealing with a pathological liar or an addiction, in which case, a whole different set of dynamics is going on.

Best Regards,

Jeffrey Murrah