You Ventilate When You’re Upset

There's a joke about individuals becoming hot under the collar when asked about a sensitive topic that probably originated in vaudeville. Boy, is it getting hot in here, the individual being questioned will rip out their collar and remark. The inference is that you become agitated, heated, and uncomfortable when you are the topic of awkward questioning. And what's this? Absolutely legitimate.

When Navarro interrogated individuals in his capacity as a law enforcement official, he would watch for what he called ventilation tactics, which show someone is attempting to control their stress. To cool down and ventilate the body, this frequently required practically grabbing a shirt collar and tugging it out.

Ventilation itself is in no way a sign of lying, much like a body language lie detector. But it does indicate that a particular line of inquiry or behavior is unsettling a person. It's not even necessary to ask a question. You are also prone to acting in this way if you are exposed to a situation that makes you feel particularly out of place, such as when you are a mild-mannered church organist and accidently enter a biker bar.