Do you ever tell small lies to spare feelings or are you always "honest?"

Hi! Good question! It really depends on the situation and the person I'm talking with. And like a previous poster said, I'll say "I'm fine" if my husband asks what's wrong and I simply don't want to talk about it at the moment. It only tends to make him suspicious, though! Another thing I do is when my husband says something about his weight (he's considered obese but he doesn't look it), I know he's overweight, but my honest opinion is that he's perfect the way he is. I'll say something like, "You're fluffy and I think it's adorable." I truly feel that way, but I will avoid saying "yes, you are overweight" because he knows that and I think it's unnecessary to push it further. I don't really think that's a lie, though; I think it's preference of telling one truth over another, if that makes sense. :) I also have a rocky relationship with my mother. I try to avoid her because I simply don't LIKE her as a person but feel obligated to love her as part of the family. When she'll call me she'll always say, "Love you" at the end of our conversation, and I'll say it back, although it makes me feel very guilty because I don't mean it. But saying it back to her will avoid her getting pushy with me as she usually does...telling that lie avoids confrontation. Good question, like I said. You'll bring the honesty out of some people. :)

Hi Karen! You are very right that we are required to tell lies sometimes out of compulsions, so that other may not feel bad or hurt. If anyone says that he never tells a lie, then it cannot be true. Telling lies for making someone smile is not bad per se. I also sometimes tell lies to safeguard my position and to make others feel better. One cannot always say the truth because it is said that truth is bitter.

I guess I'm as guilty as anyone. When asked I will usually answer the question "How are you" by saying I'm well, most of the time I am not but I don't need to start a conversation about my health.

i would tell some small lies for trifling matter to my hubby,it is no matter even if he knew it was a lie,but i never hide or tell lies for any important things.it related to honest.this is my thought about lies.

I am a sales assitant, so i have to tell small lies to our customer.. though i really hate that , but if i don't , my superior and customer will hate me.. Life is so hard, i want to be honest......yeah...

Karen, Ya bring up many good points. I heard on the news that the average person tells a lie of some kind every 15 minutes. Not sure what study it was based on but that was a Super High number from what I think. There are social graces like you described, someone already knows they are overweight. I'd respond that everyone is an individual and we all come in different shapes and sizes. Then I'd ask them if they felt healthy at their current weight because maybe they are fine they way they are. I try not to hurt people's feelings either and don't give fake compliments, but I am not always 100% honest either. I think there is a good balance to saying what you think without being harsh or hurtful and if that's lying then I'm in trouble.

If I am not feeling good and someone wants to know why, I will tell them I am fine even if it is not true. Or yes, I will lie if it keeps someone from getting hurt.

I have told small lies to spare people feeling, because i don't like hurting anyone. Recently, this guy that i've been talking too. Asked me if I wwanted to be with him, and i told him i'm not sure. Which in actuality i don't want to be with him.

Yes, I have most definitely lied to avoid hurting someone's feelings. If there's no way out of it, say a head-on question by one of your friends. Say, my best friend I have never lied to her because even if it could hurt her feelings it just wont because, well, we know each other. Honesty after all is the best policy. Just don't use honesty to hurt someone's feelings. anja