Our lies frequently serve a purpose whether we are using a lie detector test or not: to secure us or others while maintaining respect for them. The fact that we tell tall tales for “a good cause” rather than pure greed is proof of this. But how could you master this nuanced and charitable art form? We provide some advice…assuming, of course, that you don’t blush when telling stories.

Maintain a positive attitude:

“There’s always that point in every presentation when the magician risks being detected,” Jacques H. Paget*, illusionist and negotiation expert, explains. When he makes a ball “disappear” while it remains hidden in his other hand, for example, he may tilt his head to the side, a movement that the audience may automatically interpret as a sign of cheating.

Make use of the telephone:

It’s sometimes easier to lie over the telephone. “Don’t anticipate me to spend lunch with your mother because I’m still at the dentist,” “I’m driving through a tunnel with no signal…” It’s natural; you can make up stories without having to manage your attitude, reflexes, or reactions to curious eyes. The only drawback, according to Claudine Biland*, is that “we must be able to manage our voices.”

Rep the following scenario:

If you want to tell a tale, you must first integrate it as a full-fledged theatre part. “Being an artist entails more than just memorizing lines. It’s also important to get in touch with your emotions and thoughts. “These are the items that will most likely mirror your comments,” Rosine Margat*, Director of the Cours Simon in Paris, remarked.

Do not exaggerate:

For the third time, you phone a friend to reschedule a lunch date. As she listens to your flawlessly oiled arguments, she becomes skeptical; there is simply too much justification. To prevent being discovered, you reason that you should make your story bigger: the greater it becomes, the more trustworthy it will appear.