My grandad used to say, “You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat others.”

I’ve always found this to be true, particularly when it comes to honesty. Let’s face it, honesty is one of those qualities that we all want in other people. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and makes for a more comfortable life.

But here’s something interesting.

You might not realize it, but some people just aren’t as honest as they seem.

So, if you’re asking yourself “How can I tell if someone is an honest person?”, keep reading. There are 6 specific behaviors that could indicate someone isn’t as straightforward as they might appear.

That’s what we’re going to explore in this article. We’re going to dig into these eight behaviors and how they can reveal the real character of a person.

So, let’s get started!

1) He’s inconsistent with his stories

Ever had a conversation where the details keep changing?

One minute he’s telling you about his fishing trip with his buddies last weekend, and the next minute it was a solo trip. Or perhaps the size of the fish he caught seems to grow with each retelling.

Inconsistencies like these can be a red flag.

Honest people usually stick to one version of events, because, well, that’s how it happened. But when someone’s making things up, their stories can often shift and change. It’s like they’re editing a movie script on the fly.

So, if you notice inconsistencies in someone’s stories, take note. You might just be dealing with an individual who isn’t as honest as you’d like them to be.

2) He avoids eye contact

Eye contact is something I’ve always paid attention to.

I remember once, I had a friend named Mark. He was a great guy, always the life of the party. But there was one thing about him that always struck me as odd.

Whenever we were having a serious conversation, he would avoid eye contact. He’d look over my shoulder, at his shoes, anywhere but into my eyes. It was as if he was hiding something.

And as it turned out, he was.

Mark wasn’t exactly honest about his financial situation. He had racked up significant debts and was too embarrassed to admit it. And his lack of eye contact? It was a subtle clue to his dishonesty.

If you notice someone consistently avoiding eye contact during conversations, especially serious ones, it could be a sign they’re not being entirely honest with you.

3) He’s quick to place blame

Here’s a hard truth. We all mess up sometimes. It’s part of being human.

But how someone reacts to their own mistakes can speak volumes about their honesty.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Someone messes up, but instead of owning up to their mistake, they try to shift the blame onto someone else. It’s as if admitting fault is akin to admitting defeat.

But let me tell you something.

Honesty isn’t about never making mistakes. It’s about taking responsibility when you do.

And an honest man knows that the blame game helps no one and owning up to your mistakes is the first step towards fixing them!

4) He’s secretive about his past

We all have a past, and it’s normal to keep some aspects of it private. But have you ever met someone who’s excessively secretive about their past?

I’m talking about those individuals who dodge questions, change subjects quickly, or give vague answers when their past is brought up.

This might be more than just shyness or privacy. It could be a sign of dishonesty.

You see, honest people are usually open about their past. They’ve got nothing to hide. But if a man is consistently dodging questions about his past, it might mean he’s hiding something he doesn’t want you to know.

Remember the lesson from earlier: inconsistencies can be a red flag. A secretive past can be one of those inconsistencies that point towards dishonesty.

5) He over-promises and under-delivers

Have you ever heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words”?

It’s a nugget of wisdom that’s been passed down through generations, and for a good reason.

Some people have a tendency to make grand promises. They commit to things easily, often with great enthusiasm. But when it comes to actually delivering on those promises? That’s another story.

This behavior is more common than you might think. In fact, studies show that people who tend to over-promise are often less reliable, less responsible, and yes, less honest.

If a man consistently fails to deliver on his promises, it could be a sign of dishonesty. Because at the end of the day, an honest person’s actions will always match their words.

6) He lacks empathy

We all have our moments of self-absorption. But there’s a world of difference between being occasionally self-focused and lacking empathy altogether.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s that heart-glowing feeling when a friend shares good news, or that pang of sorrow when someone we care about is hurting.

But here’s the thing about dishonest people – they often lack empathy.

Why?

Because empathy requires honesty. It requires acknowledging others’ feelings and experiences as real and valid, something that dishonest people might struggle with.

So, if you come across a man who consistently seems indifferent to the feelings of others, it might be a sign of dishonesty. Remember, an honest heart is an empathetic one.

The final thoughts

Recognizing these behaviors in a man might be a bit disheartening. You might even find yourself reflecting on past encounters and spotting these signs in hindsight.

But here’s the silver lining – awareness is the first step towards making better decisions in the future.

It’s important to remember that people can change. Sometimes, the person exhibiting these behaviors may not even realize they’re doing so. It doesn’t mean they’re inherently bad or unworthy of trust forever.

But it does mean they’ve got some work to do.

And you, by recognizing these signs, are already one step ahead. You’re better equipped to protect your interests, your emotional well-being, and ultimately, your trust.

So keep your eyes open, and your instincts sharp. Trust is precious, and you have every right to be selective about who you share it with!