How to Spot A Liar Effectively

behavior safety values

How to Spot A Liar Effectively

Unknown Friday, October 30, 2015 Komentar

Liars, liars everywhere. But then you have to admit that you too have lied sometimes, if not many times. Knowing that someone is lying to you might not be as annoying as finding out a little bit later that you have been deceived. You are upset with your being unable to observe and understand the body language of your conversation partner, how you have missed important clues to what they are really thinking and feeling while talking with you. It feels like you have failed to get the whole truth.

As we might have known, body language is a kind of nonverbal communication where thoughts, intentions, or feelings are expressed by physical behaviors such as facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the space bubble (the sense of authority over the “territorial bubble” around you). Understanding body language will help you in many areas of your life and at workspace, especially when you are required to face people with your role as parents, teachers, policemen, or such. There, you will find liars and you have to be able to spot their lies. Below are some steps to spot a liar:

1. Firstly, try to be as empathetic as possible in the conversation, and the chance is you will get the liar to open up more.

2. Liars will try to predict your questions so that their answers will sound honest and natural. Professional liars even practice answering certain questions ahead of time. Ask them questions they do not expect.

3. Liars tend to speak more than honest people in the attempt to sound honest. Using complex sentences can be a sign that they are trying to hide the truth. Stress usually makes people speak faster. Stressed persons often talk louder. Repetitive coughing and clearing the throat are signs of tension.

4. How a person says “No” can be an indication that he might be lying to you. Pay attention on these: Saying "No" and look in a different direction; Saying "No" and close their eyes;

Saying "No" after hesitating; Saying "Nooooo," stretched over a long period of time; Saying "No" in a singsong manner.

5. A subtle change in behavior can be a strong sign of deceit. Pay attention on these: Showing lapses in memory at critical times (despite being alert in earlier conversation). Let’s say that in a sudden he forgest everything; Answering your questions with very short answers, declining to provide more details; Starting to speak more formally (the person is getting stressed); Using exaggerated responses (for example, "awesome" or "brilliant" instead of “good”).

6. When truthful people repeat the story, they tend to add details and remember more facts. On the other hand, liars memorize their stories and try to keep them the same. Rather than forward in time, ask them to recall events backward.

7. Beware of too many compliments. If they are trying too hard to create a good impression, such as are agreeing with all of your opinions, constantly giving praises and laughing at all of your jokes, be cautious.

8. People are uneasy with certain questions due to personal embarrassment, or because they are extremely dependent on the final conclusion. If you are confused, ask some follow-up questions. If you are suspecting that he is hiding the fact of being fired from his previous job, ask the questions like this: "You know, I (or a friend) once lost a job for making a stupid mistake. Have you ever experienced anything like that? How do you think mistakes on the job should be handled?"

9. A smile will not disguise the true feeling as facial expressions will reveal what he is really thinking about. Try to find out if anxiety causes them to blush. Also, flared nostrils, lip nibbling, deep breathing and rapid blinking can also be the clues that you need to spot a liar.

10. Find out if their body language follow the story. Liars may pull their arms and legs inward or keep his movements to a minimum, anything to appear smaller so that, like animals, they can hide from “predators”. Liars often shove their hands behind their back as well as they are afraid if their being uneasy is spotted.

11. Pay attention to how your conversation partner smiles as well as other facial movements. A true smile will incorporate both the lips and eyes.

However, in your attempt to spot a liar, proceed with extreme caution as the body language of a Westerner can be totally different from those of Asian or African persons. Read more articles about various cultures and/or make friends with people of many different cultures so that you can spot a liar effectively.

***

Via rd, inc
Photo: Freeimages,com/Bjorn de Leeuw

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10 Tips for Safe Online Charity Donation

internet safety

10 Tips for Safe Online Charity Donation

Unknown Monday, October 26, 2015 Komentar

Charities and voluntary organisations are invaluable to society as they help people in the greatest need, and they rely on donations to carry out their work. Nowadays, giving donation to charities can be very effective and convenient thanks to the Internet. Yet, aside from the fact that most of them are authentic and legitimate, we have to be aware of fraudsters and scammers. So how do you make sure your donation is secure? Below are 10 tips for safe charity donation:

1. Collect information about your charity 

Before giving to an online or offline charity, dig more information about them. The mission statement, the list of program accomplishments and the board of directors will give you a clue. Doing a further re-check on the Internet about their reputation could prove useful. 

2. Contact information is a must 

The charity should give you an option to contact it online (e-mail address) and offline (phone number and physical address). That way, if the website of the charity is not functioning properly, you can contact it offline. Also, you can protect yourself against scammers attempting to raise a lot money but then they disappear after collecting your money. You can contact the charity to make sure if the site or e-mail is genuine. 

3. Check the date of information 

Find out when the donation event put on the website of the charity was last updated as some charities, if not many, do not update their event information for months or even years, which make it no longer accurate. 

4. Donate safely 

Sharing any credit card information online requires extra caution due to the hazard caused by frauds and scammers. 

• The website should use encryption technology to protect you against online threats. The URL of the site should begin with "https" instead of “http” as the "s" letter stands for "secure", and it indicates that any of your private and sensitive information will be encrypted and transmitted securely.
• Check that you are visiting the correct website address, and not a fake one created to harvest private information including credit card numbers from its unaware visitors. Links embedded in e-mails, text messages, instant messages, and pop-up ads can take you to websites that look legitimate but are not. Type the address yourself or use your own bookmark to visit the site.
• A trustworthy website will contain signs or symbols that indicate that it is legitimate for doing money transaction. For example, third-party seals of approval.

5. Say no to third parties 

Avoid using a third party including money transfer companies to donate to a charity. Besides the fact that some of them are scams, they often charge you a transaction fee, and then charge the charity additional fees for having received money from you. Such sites might also seek to earn bank interest on your donation by delaying its transmission to the charity. 

6. Protect your online privacy 

Read privacy policy of the site carefully. Make sure their privacy policy really safeguards your privacy. Before revealing your personal information, especially your credit card number, find out how the site is planning to use your information. 

7. Keep the transaction record 

Keep the copy of your on-screen confirmation notice or an e-mail confirmation of your donation. If you do not immediately receive such notices, check with the charity to make sure that it has safely received your donation. 

8. Do not respond to any spams 

Spams or junk mails may contain some harmful links to scam sites that loke like those of the legitimate charities. Ignore or delete e-mails from unfamiliar senders or sources, especially when you are not expecting any e-mails from anyone. Your email providers usually have a spam protection activated so most spams or junk mails will not enter your inbox. But, one or two spams may escape the filter. Use “unsubsribe” option if any, if you do not wish to receive similar e-mails from the sender. Otherwise, simply filter any e-mails from the sender as spams. 

9. Update your firewall, antivirus, and antispyware software 

Updated softwares will help you protect all your online transactions better. The wireless connection you are using at home should be encrypted as well. Activating the automatic update feature will help you keep these softwares current. 

10. Online donation should be safe 

Online donation provides a chance for everyone to do something good for humanity in a more effective way. Just make sure your favorite charities have taken all the required precautions for any of your online transactions. 

By following the 10 tips for safe charity donation above, you should now be able to reduce any risks in online transaction. Do not stop donating money to the good cause of your choice.

***

Via charitywatch, microsoft
Photo via huffingtonpost

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Why Cell Phone Use Is Banned at Gas Stations

gadget safety technology

Why Cell Phone Use Is Banned at Gas Stations

Unknown Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Komentar

Is it a fact that using a cell phone while filling up a vehicle at a gas station could trigger a fire or even an explosion? The flood of warnings about the great risks of using cell phones in the presence of gasoline fumes at gas stations began to spread on the Internet back in 1999, when an a car driver in Indonesia turned into a human fireball as the result of an explosion at a gas station. But why cell phone use is widely banned at gas stations today?

A lot of studies had been conducted and experts at the Center for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility at the University of Oklahoma said there was virtually no evidence that suggested that cell phones posed a hazard at gas stations. While it might be “theoretically possible for a spark from a cell phone battery to ignite gas vapor,” The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concluded the potential threat was remote.

However, gas stations around the world had put many stickers cautioning drivers to turn off their cell phones when filling up their vehicles. Today, all major oil companies have also take a preventive measure and ban the use of cell phones at gas stations.

Now, what is the likely cause of fires at the gas stations? According to the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), static electricity discharge is a major culprit. 

Is Static Electricity the Culprit?

Many experts believe that it is the static electricity, and not the cell phones, that cause the fire. Static fires at the gas stations are rare events, but yes they do happen. The Petroleum Equipment Institute reported on its website that it had received counted hundreds of reports to date of gas stations fires attributed to static electricity.

Steve Fowler, an electrical engineer from Fowler Associates, said cell phone signals were far too weak to ignite even explosive gasoline fumes. He and Jim Farr, a fire marshal from Gaston County, N.C., studied static fire and said that our body could build up a static charge in many different ways, for example when we were getting in and out of our vehicle. "When you rub the carpet with your feet, you could get up to 35,000 volts," Fowler said. "In a car situation we have seen as high as 60,000 volts."

That voltage is enough to catch gas fumes on fire, Fowler said. As for a cell phone or cell phone battery sparking a fire, both Fowler and Farr said it was theoretically possible but not probable.

Although cell phones may not actually be the cause of a fire at the gas stations, experts all agree consumers should take the appropriate precautions. Follow these tips and those posted by the gas stations to avoid static fires and reduce unnecessary risks:

• Do not get back in your car until you are finished filling up your vehicle. 
• When you get out of the car, get rid of any static charge before you reach for the pump. That could be as simple as tapping the metal top of your car with your bare hand. 
• Experts say if a fire does start, never take the gas nozzle out of your car. That is the surest way to turn a bad situation into a tragedy. Everyone who has been hurt, injured, or has been killed, has pulled that nozzle out. 
• Never fill portable containers in or on a vehicle. Instead, put them on the ground. Like a person, a container can also become statically charged. If the earth's not there to absorb the voltage, the can itself may spark. 
• Turn off the engine. 

Now, think twice before answering or making calls with your cell phone at the pump. Despite the fact that cell phone use is now banned at gas stations, you can always call back later. Safety is everybody's business.

***

Via verizonwireless, abcnews,
Photo: Freeimages.com/Henrik Linder

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Why Japanese Trains Are Never Late

safety technology transportation values

Why Japanese Trains Are Never Late

Unknown Tuesday, October 20, 2015 Komentar

The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. The nickname “bullet train” is sometimes used in English for these high-speed trains. It is one of Japan’s most prominent advancements in technology. But why are Japanese trains "never" late? What are their secrets?

Although its speed becomes one of the main reasons why the Shinkansen is amazing, its punctuality on arrival and departure, its comfort and safety of the trips are fantastic. The punctuality can be seen from the fact that the trains are almost never late. The yearly average delay time per train is 30 seconds. To keep the comfort for passengers, the trains are well maintained so that they can run smoothly, and also the cars are kept very clean. As for the safety, the fact says that in its 50 years of operation, there has never been accident-related death.

Again, what are the secrets? 

Secret #1: The railroad engineer is very highly skilled 

In one year, 120,000 trains will run on the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks. On peak days, more than 400 trains run everyday, which means 1 train will be available for every 3 minutes. As the railway platforms are limited in number, it is imperative that the Shinkansen arrives and departs on time so that they can carry as many passengers as possible. The Shinkansen punctuality is indeed in the hand of the railroad engineer. Below are what the engineer does in operating the trains: 

a. The calculation of speed is highly-accurate

The railroad engineer is constantly calculating the speed the train needs to run at in order to get to the next station precisely as scheduled. When the train pulls in and out of station, the railroad engineer announces how late or fast the train was in seconds, and confirms the exact time using a pocket watch. The railroad engineer also calculates how long it will take to the next station even if the train will not stop. If the train is going faster or slower than expected when it arrives on a station, the railroad engineer will set the new speed required. This way, the time gap between the arrival times at every station will always be corrected.

b. Unexpected incidents are simulated

When the Shinkansen runs, any breakdowns might happen but they should not change the schedule. Thus, the railroad engineer has to deal with the breakdown while driving. To anticipate breakdowns, the railroad engineer practices regularly with a simulator. The simulator creates scenarios where various breakdowns occur. 

Secret #2: The cleaning staff are exceptional 

When the Shinkansen reaches the last station on its route, there are ten minutes excluding the passengers getting off and on, before it turns around and departs for the next destination. The cleaning staff should put the 10 minutes into good use and prepare the cabin of the train cars for the next passengers. 

Secret #3. The safety check system is reliable

So far, there has never been any accident-related death. The safety of the Shinkansen is supported by a series of routine detailed checks.

a. Four-tier frame inspection

There is a 4-tier inspection system conducted for the Shinkansen. Once every two days, an inspector check any defects both by visual and by touch. Once a month, the Shinkansen undergoes a complete inspection. The power is turned on to check if the train is running as it should be. The door system is among those given the highest priority. If a door fails to open or to shut, it will slow the passengers in getting on and off the train, resulting in delay on the schedule. One train (with 16 cars each) is inspected more than 500 times for every 3 years. 

b. Tracks inspection 

To check the tracks, they have Dr. Yellow, a special train running on the track being inspected at the speed of 270 km/hr. Among those inspected are tracks condition, aerial wirings, and railroad signaling. 

c. Ballasts replacement

As the Shinkansen runs very fast, the ballasts should be replaced every day to maintain the safety. The ballasts replacement machine was invented in Japan and is the first of its kind in the world.

No wonder Japanese trains are "never" late.

***

via tsunagujapan, wikipedia
Photo: Freeimages.com/Mdmartian

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Why Dogs Bite People

animal pet safety

Why Dogs Bite People

Unknown Monday, October 19, 2015 1 Komentar

There are strong reasons why dogs bite people, including children. And in some worst case scenarios, the attacks had also led to fatality. Training the dogs will prove useful to minimize any risks of getting bitten, but it will be better if we understand the reasons why people get nipped or bitten by friendly dogs, especially at home:

• The dog is protecting something valuable or in its possessions, for example food, water dish, toy, territory or resting place, puppies (maternal instinct in this case), or even a person. Not only in guard dogs and herding breeds, such behaviors can clearly be seen in any dogs. It is a behavior that many humans really do not appreciate but is actually very normal for dogs.
• The dog is afraid of strangers, for example postal workers, technician or any other unfamiliar visitors. Bites driven by fear can also occur when the dog is startled at home. 
• The dog is injured or sick. The pain can drive any dogs to bite. Scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian could prove useful if injury or sickness is the real reason of why the dog bites people.
• The dog is provoked by someone running or cycling near him/her position, resulting in a chase. Avoiding to cross path with a wandering dog on a street is a wise thing to do. But if the dog chases you, do not run. Stand still and avoid eye contact as this can be seen as a challenge— hopefully the dog will lose interest and sniffs at you and then walks away to find a new target. And in the worst case, if the dog chases and knocks you down, you have protect your heads, necks, and hands.

However, several other possible reasons of why dog bite people can be added if a child is bitten by the dog as below:

• The child has provoked or frightened the dog, for example cuddling it, moving into its territory, stepping over it, taking something it. A provoked or frightened dog may pose some risks to the child.
• The child has hurt the dog by stepping on it, poking it, or pulling its fur, tail, or ears. If not hurting, it can be startling the dog and provoking it to bite.
• The dog is overly excited when both the child and the dog are enganging in a play. A playful dog can pose significant risks to the child. Even if the dog has no intention of harming the child, it may get caught up in the excitement of the chase and nip at children or knock them down.
• The dog is of a herding breed and nips while trying to “herd” children. It is a normal and natural instinct, and not necessarily a learned behavior, especially for a herding breed. And the more people react to being herded by running, yelling, or else, the more likely the dog will be thinking of it as a fun and entertaining game.
• Children are generally not very good at reading signals that a dog is trying to guard his possessions, for example placing its paw on top of the items and growling before the dog bites. As we know, most of them give clear warning before the dogs bite people.

***

Read our related topics you may find interesting:

Why Dogs Love Bones; Why Your Dogs Are Happy to See You

Via cesarsway, doggonesafe; Photo: FreeImages.com/Dimitri C

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