yeah, I do – every day, some way, some how – mostly by doing that “lying by omission” thing but, yeah, I lie – seriously, though, in this big crazy world of ours, who doesn’t lie? in certain situations, it’s dangerous NOT to – lying is one of the last survival instincts that human beings still possess and in this big crazy world that we live in, that instinct kicking in (or not) can make a big difference in one’s quality of life – do you know what I mean?
you show me someone who tells the truth every day, every time, to every person and if they actually exist (which I doubt), I will show you someone with no friends, no job, an angry family and who has probably been punched in the face at least once or twice because, I gotta tell ya, honesty is NOT always the best policy – in spite of what they might say, people really DON’T want to hear the truth all the time and one is foolish if they knowingly ignore the signals that might be telling you that a specific situation is one of those times but yet still choose to “poke the bear” and be totally honest with someone….
I’m not saying that everything that comes out of your mouth should be a lie – for the most part, people should be able to believe most of what you say – but sometimes, it’s just like we were taught as children – that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” – kinda pee’s me off that somehow that concept has been twisted into meaning you are lying but, whatever – unless it’s to cover up something that’s blatantly illegal or dangerous or just plain mean, I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep peace in my little part of the world and to keep my ass from getting kicked more than it absolutely needs to be…..
so, yeah, I lie – I’m a big fat liar – but do you know what? so is everyone else I know so most days, I’m in damned good company……

I will never forget what a metropolitan police officer said, she said “honesty is subjective, integrity is not”. So subjectively, if you withheld information it is not lying. If you did tell information that was wilfully prevaricating and misleading, that is lying.

Nitpicking about ‘white lies’ is just obfuscation. How would you feel if you had a boss and they lied about your wages?

What if that same boss said, I cannot give you an increase because we are suffering in these economic times? Is he or she lying?

Hey, I think I can honestly say, without exaggeration or withholding anything that I think you’re, well….NORMAL!

Of course this thing about opinion on things being a relative of lying is something that gets me – I may hate your shoes, you may love them, just our opinions and tastes, and no, I’m not into unnecessary insulting or uttering of hurtful things, so better not to say anything, I agree.

Now if they’re 7″ heels that look like they’re about to snap off, I’d be lying if I said, “Wow, those must be so comfortable, wish I had a pair!”

Enjoyed reading your blog – so far, sure I’ll be back (no lie:)

Most people confuse honesty for a blunt instrument. They use it like a baseball bat to ‘tell the truth’ to others. That isn’t honesty, it’s brutality, and worse than lying.

Honesty and tact need to go hand in hand. This means there may be times when you are neutral- like with the shoes. You say something that is neither a yes or no, just an acknowledgment.

However, it would be wrong to not speak up when something really matters to you. When you need to express something, have it heard, and hopefully had it responded well to. That is when tact is most important.

Lastly, we are human and we lie. I know I have and will in the future. We all lie for the same reasons, to protect ourselves, to protect others, because we are afraid, or because we don’t care. What isn’t healthy is if it negates and hides our own truths which we could be sharing with those we care about.