This one is tough, because it requires enough experience with people to be able to read them and deduce possible reasons they may want to pull something over on you. I worked in retail for a long time (too long, dammit, but that's another topic) and got to interact with lots of people from all walks of life. Being that it was auto parts and then heavy equipment, a significant portion came from the dodgy end of the spectrum.
The most basic motivation is to dupe you into giving up more than you would have, given a normal transaction. That means the other person thinks that they are more clever than you or conversely, that you are dumber than they are. Otherwise, why bother? Don't be stupid, problem solved. Ok, that's not so helpful, so if you think something is rotten in the state of Denmark don't go along with it.
If getting one over on you is the mother of all bullshittery, then any other motivation boils down to that as well. Ask yourself, "what do they want from me that they can't just ask for?" Then you play Holmes and look for clues to tip you off to the specifics. Friday afternoon and someone stops by to chat with a manila envelope bulging at the seams? People in class sitting next to you suddenly after you aced the last exam? Dude wants to buy you a drink?
Hmm, I guess it's not that tough after all. Unless you are really playing Holmes and want to show the bullshitter that not only are you not falling for it, but that they should get back to work and finish that TPS report if they want any chance at having a weekend.
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