Today is April Fools’ Day, when people around the world play practical jokes and pranks on their friends and family.
While many April Fools’ Day pranks are easy to spot, others can leave you guessing.
Thankfully, help is at hand, in the form of Robert Phipps, a body language expert.
Mr Phipps has teamed up with Grosvenor Casinos to reveal the five signs that someone is playing an April Fools’ Day prank on you.
1. Micro-expressions
Look out for very subtle facial expressions - they could indicate you are being pranked.
Mr Phipps explained: “Micro?expressions are one of the best indicators that someone is hiding something from you, as they happen subconsciously and so we have no way to stop them.
“They last for less than 1/4 of a second before we have time to adopt the expression that we want people to see.”
2. Eye movements
When trying to work out if someone is telling the truth, the eyes can be a good place to start.
Mr Phipps said: “Most people will look up to their left when recalling visual memories – if you’re asking a question about something they’ve seen, and their eyes don’t go up to the left, they may be telling fibs.”
3. Hand movements
Our hand movements tend to become more animated when we are trying to hide something.
Mr Phipps said: “When someone is hiding something from you their hand movements will become more animated, but out of sync with what they’re saying.
“As their brain tries to work the story out, their hands flutter as they attempt to fill the gaps.”
4. Blink rate
Look out for changes in blinking rate - this will either increase or decrease if someone is hiding something from you.
Mr Phipps explained: “An experienced fibber will often stare straight at you while joking around, whereas someone who is uncomfortable with fibber will often have a sudden increase in their blinking rate.”
5. Leg and feet movement
Finally, be on the lookout for strange leg and feet movements.
Mr Phipps added: “Crossing and uncrossing their legs, raising their heels up off the ground, and wrapping one foot round the ankle of the other leg are all good signs they are feeling uncomfortable.”
