There’s a thin line between being secretive and being downright dishonest. When it comes to men, some may twist the truth, while others may just be a little too elusive.

Trust is a vital part of any relationship, but how can you tell if a man is truly trustworthy? Well, there are certain telltale signs that suggest he might not be as honest as he claims to be.

In this piece, we’re going to delve into 8 subtle behaviors exhibited by men who aren’t entirely honest or trustworthy. These signs could be your key to discerning truth from deception.

Remember, it’s all about observing the subtle cues. So stay tuned, and let’s uncover what these behaviors are.

1) They’re vague about their whereabouts

A man who isn’t entirely honest or trustworthy often has a knack for being vague about his whereabouts.

This isn’t about individuals valuing their privacy or needing some alone time. It’s about those who consistently dodge questions, sidestep specifics, and provide half-answers when asked about what they’ve been up to.

Consider this scenario. You ask him how his day was, and he replies with a simple “Fine” or “Okay.” You dig a bit deeper, asking who he was with or what he did, only to be met with vague responses like “Oh, just some friends” or “Nothing much.”

This pattern of obscurity could be a sign that he’s not entirely honest. Remember, honesty breeds clarity. So when there’s a lack of clarity, you might want to question the level of honesty.

2) They avoid eye contact

A classic sign of dishonesty, in my experience, is avoiding eye contact. I still remember this one incident vividly.

A few years ago, I had a friend named Jake. We were as close as two friends could be. But over time, I started to notice a change in his behavior. He started avoiding eye contact during our conversations, which was out of character for him.

One day, I confronted him about a rumor I’d heard – that he’d been spreading false stories about me to other people in our circle. As I asked him about it, his gaze darted around the room, never meeting mine.

It was a confirmation of my suspicion. Jake was not being entirely honest with me. His inability to maintain eye contact when confronted was a subtle sign of his dishonesty.

Remember, continuous lack of eye contact, especially during serious discussions, can be a telltale sign of someone not being entirely truthful or trustworthy.

3) They touch their face frequently during a conversation

When men aren’t entirely honest or trustworthy, they might display certain physical behaviors that can act as giveaways. One such behavior is frequently touching their face during a conversation.

This isn’t just a random observation. Research shows that people tend to touch their nose or mouth when they’re not telling the truth.

It’s a subconscious gesture, often triggered by the anxiety or discomfort that comes with dishonesty. So next time you’re in a conversation with a man and you notice frequent face-touching, it could be an indication of deceit.

But remember, context matters! If it’s flu season, he might just have a runny nose.

4) They overcompensate with too much information

Sometimes, men who aren’t entirely honest might think the best way to cover up their deceit is by providing an overload of information. They believe that by doing so, they can distract you from the fact that they’re not being completely truthful.

If you ask a simple question and they respond with an overly detailed and intricate answer, it could be an attempt to steer the conversation away from their dishonesty.

They might even loop in irrelevant points, hoping that you’ll lose track of what was initially asked. This behavior is a classic deflection strategy used by those who have something to hide.

It’s essential to listen carefully and notice when someone strays too far from the point. It could be an indication of dishonesty lurking beneath those extra layers of information.

5) Their actions don’t match their words

In my heart, I believe that actions speak louder than words. It’s a principle I’ve always held close, particularly when assessing a person’s honesty and trustworthiness.

Men who aren’t entirely honest often have a disconnect between what they say and what they do. They might make grand promises, but consistently fail to follow through. They may pledge their loyalty, yet their actions suggest otherwise.

This discrepancy can be heartbreaking, especially when you’ve invested time and emotions into the relationship. It’s a painful realization to see that the person’s words were just empty promises, devoid of sincerity.

6) They consistently change their stories

One of the most challenging things I’ve had to deal with was realizing that a person I cared for had a habit of changing his story. He’d tell me one thing one day, and then completely alter the narrative the next.

This constant inconsistency was confusing and disorienting. It felt like I was trying to piece together a puzzle, only to find that the pieces kept changing shapes.

It was a clear sign that he wasn’t being honest with me. The truth doesn’t change – it remains consistent. But his stories were anything but.

If you find yourself in a similar situation where a man constantly changes his story, it could be an indication that he is not as honest or trustworthy as he might seem.

7) They become defensive when questioned

When someone is being honest and has nothing to hide, they usually don’t mind answering questions about their actions or statements. However, men who aren’t entirely honest often become defensive when questioned.

This defensiveness can manifest as immediate irritation, anger, or even turning the tables to make you feel guilty for asking. It’s a diversion technique, used to shift the focus away from their dishonesty.

If a man reacts strongly to simple questions or inquiries, it might be a sign that he’s not being entirely truthful. Remember, honesty thrives in transparency, and defensiveness often clouds that transparency.

8) They struggle with maintaining close relationships

Trust and honesty form the backbone of any close relationship. When a man consistently struggles to maintain close relationships – be it with family, friends, or romantic partners – it might be indicative of his inability to be honest or trustworthy.

If you notice a pattern of broken relationships in his past, coupled with a reluctance to talk about them or take responsibility for them, it could be a significant red flag.

It’s essential to recognize these patterns, as they can give you an insight into his character. After all, a person’s ability to maintain close relationships often reflects their capacity for honesty and trustworthiness.