To be honest with you......

[Marijn]

"To be honest......." When I hear peole say this, it is usually followed by a lie. Also when people say "No, not really", I can hear a touch of indecision in their voice, so when I press them on it, it's usually "Yes", the next time. Also when people say "I'm not racist/sexist but.....". It usually means they ARE.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Or does anyone know of any other phrases that usually precede a lie?

[NazNomad]

I'll have a cheque for you on ... <insert weekday>

[ChuckFickens]

I didn't change anything, it just ....................

[mike11111]

I don't think that precedes a lie - it usually IS a lie.

[ummmm]

A lot of people say they are not xyz...followed by a but. Saying you're not a racist but...doesn't mean you actually are. It just means that you know what you're about to say could be taken wrong. I'm not racist but I'm sure I've said things that some people might consider to be racist.

See...

[flobadob]

On the racism thing, most people cannot admit it but I think most people are slightly racist.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't say racist flob...maybe a tad ignorant.

[Calibax]

With respect...

[McMouse]

I'm not being funny.......

[ummmm]

It sounds like lot's of people just pampering to sensitive people.

[Marijn]

Thank you for your examples everyone. Pixi, I thought "To be honest" preceded a lie, but as you say you don't use the phrase in that way. Maybe it's because people feel awkward about what they need to say next, and maybe I mistake their awkwardness for lying. I've also noticed that when people tell me a bit information about themselves, out of the blue, for example someone might say "I'm a very reasonable person" (when I haven't even asked them), I've noticed that person turns out to be a completely unreasonable, flying off the handle kind of loony. This has happened enough times to me, so now I'm suspicious if someone tells me something about themselves out of the blue. Anyone else noticed this?

[China Doll]

I'm quite a blunt person, those that know me know that it's just part of my honest nature and if in front of you, you can adapt your facial expressions and tone of voice to show that you are not intending to be offensive but may disagree or have issue with something that someone has said. It is much harder to do that on the internet and I will sometimes say things that you have used in order to cushion something I'm about to say which may be taken the wrong way but is not meant to be nasty, just honest.

[pa___ul3]

Demitri Martin made me laugh with his take on the "I'm not racist but..." theme, he suggested you start random sentences with it like "I'm not racist but this shirt is really uncomfortable"..the reaction would be "why is that racist?".. to which you answer "that's what I said, I'm not racist!"

[NazNomad]

"No and I have no JL's on my list either ..."


pmsl, sorry ummmmy xxx

[ummmm]

Haha...

[Marijn]

Just looked for Demitri Martin on Youtube, he's quite good :-)

[Marijn]

Also some people look up in one direction when they're trying to remember something and look up in the other direction when they're lying. Any other suggestions to suss people out?

[wildwood]

Scratched their head, playing with their ear, rapid blinking.