Have you ever been in this situation? You’re negotiating with a friend on what time to get together. You want an early time and your friend is pushing for something later. The two of you agree on a time in between and then your friend gives you the look.
It’s the look that says “I plan to show up late, at precisely the time I originally suggested, but I’ll make it seem like an accident.” The look is characterized by what could best be described as a temporary coma. The person’s face goes cold and lifeless for a fleeting moment, like a bad poker face, followed by a forced smile and the “Okay. Right. See you then.” His sentence might even trail off into a mumble. That’s a dead giveaway.
You know you’re hosed, but you can’t really accuse your friend ahead of time. “You filthy weasel! I know you plan to show up late!” And you can’t show up late yourself, on the off chance that your friend actually shows up on time.
It makes me wish I were one of those people who can’t read faces. I think they’re called engineers. But I’m not. In fact, I studied hypnosis years ago, and one of the unexpected side effects is that I have an unusual skill for reading people and seeing hidden motives. It comes in handy but it’s a mixed blessing because I often see the spear heading my way and I can’t always duck.
Here’s one little face reading tip that you can use right away. When people look at something or someone they like, their pupils widen. It doesn’t matter if they’re looking at puppies and rainbows or porn. If they like it, their eyes try to get some more. It’s even true of your pet. When your dog or cat looks at you, or at some favorite toy, check out the eyes.
[Note: If your dog’s eyes don’t widen when he looks at you, he’s planning to kill you in your sleep.]