How to spot a lying politician

Welcome to the campaign trail folks.

It has become more than clear that words are not enough for politicians to win over the undecided or the disillusioned. So how do they combat that? with a show of hands of course. Politicians don't just have script writers, they have specialized members of an ever growing entourage and one such member coaches them in the subtle art of hand gestures.

So let's see what happens when their hands do the talking.

Symbolic Gestures communicate words, numbers, position. Speaking with Gestures

For example:

A raised hand signals for a stop

A thumbs-up showing you agree

Three fingers for the number three

Pointing to show a position – up, down, behind, beside.

Pretty straight forward I'd say. But there are more subtle ways of communicating, such as:

A clenched fist to show anger. It is hostile and threatening. It could also convey the sense you are hiding something.

Hands clasped to show pleading.

Using a pointed finger. This makes you look accusatory, even if that wasn't your intent.

the art of communicating

So we've got the basics covered, but what about the gestures that transcend public speaking 101? Well after seeing many politicians over the years I've found far more subtle gestures that you should watch for:

-two hands, open palms: This is linked to appeasement. What the speaker is trying to do is appease the crowd while trying to envelop it at the same time. Words that are linked to this gesture are 'we' 'all' and 'us'.

-One hand, open palm: This is used to quell someones accusatory or speculative question while separating the accuser from the crowd. It is often followed by a subtle dismissive 'palm'. Words and phrases linked to this gesture are 'please' or 'let me finish'.

-One receding hand- I like to call it, 'the Fonz technique" which appears as an open hand that recedes behind the ear that could be interpreted as guilt or annoyance. It is a dismissive gesture that is linked to words 'no' or 'well..'

Has anyone else spotted these idiosyncrasies?

And remember, vote cake 2016.

I thought this was a joke at first.
Then I saw the forum...

I seem to remember the punchline being "when their mouth is moving!".

Interesting post anyway!

a reply to: Thecakeisalie

I have an easier way to tell when a politician is lying.

Its when their lips are moving.

originally posted by: TNMockingbird
I thought this was a joke at first.
Then I saw the forum...

I seem to remember the punchline being "when their mouth is moving!".

Interesting post anyway!

Haha,great minds think alike TNM!

a reply to: Thecakeisalie

The real question is how to spot an honest one

a reply to: Silicis n Volvo

Is there such a thing? I have yet to meet one that was not there for their own benefit.

originally posted by: TNMockingbird
I thought this was a joke at first.
Then I saw the forum...

I seem to remember the punchline being "when their mouth is moving!".

Interesting post anyway!

You beat me to it!

I can't imagine there will not be other dissapointed members wishing they were beaten to the punchline.

Good thread OP.

How to spot a lying politician?

same way you spot a lying lawyer.
Their lips are moving..

The better question would be how to spot an honest politician.

Easy-

He or she is addressed as honorable TITLE or has a Rep-resentative or Sen-ator(sin) fixed to that title

I like the Terry pratchet discworld view of things were all politicians are put in prison upon election.

It saves time in the long run

Good Thread this is how I do it.

How to spot a lying politician ?

Just look at one .

Thanks for posting this wonderful thread .

originally posted by: Silicis n Volvo
a reply to: Thecakeisalie

The real question is how to spot an honest one

Look for two self inflicted gunshot wounds in the back of the head.