The most common ways to identify the onset of an earthquake would be:

●     A feeling of shaking of the ground below you, if you are sitting/standing. The most common feeling is – as if the person is feeling giddy.

●     Swinging of overhead hanging stuff, e.g. fans, chandeliers etc. However, in this situation, you should distinguish between swaying of overhead hanging stuff – due to wind

●     A feeling as if both the rear tires of your car are flat (if you are driving)