Poll: How do you feel about lying?

[BloatedGuppy]

I've had a couple of friends give me vastly, VASTLY different perspectives on this.

One tells the truth no matter what. Honesty is the best policy, she insists, even if it means being tactless or hurting someone's feelings. She absolutely refuses to lie, or keep anything she feels is important hidden. It's occasionally made things very, very difficult for her, and almost destroyed relationships, but she feels it's a matter of honor.

Another is an inveterate liar. He lies easily and frequently. He thinks that lying is just a useful skill, like any other, that can be used to make social interactions easier for everyone involved. It's never really blown back on him, and even though pretty much everyone knows he's "lie friendly", it hasn't damaged anyone's ability to trust him that I can see, and he's generally regarded as the easier person to get along with than the truthful friend.

So what's your perspective on lying? Do you think it's a moral imperative to tell the truth? Do you restrict yourself to "white lies"? How do you decide what's a fair lie, and what isn't? Would you tell the truth even if telling the truth was damaging? Do you think telling the truth can be as selfish, and as indulgent as lying? Is lying really an issue if you're never caught? What if the lies make everyone feel better, about you, and about themselves? Are YOU a liar?

Poll added because polls are FUN.

 

[Hazy992]

It's ok to lie now and then, if you're sparing someone's feelings for example.

 

[Rawne1980]

Depends on the circumstances.

If my wife gets a haircut I don't like, and she asks my opinion, i'll tell her it's lovely.

If I spend money on games and she asks where the cash went i'll blame the kids.

If someone asks me what I think about them i'll tell them honestly.

If I ask my wife to tell me i'm the greatest man she ever lay her eyes on then I expect her to lie through her back teeth and say yes.

 

[Mayhaps]

Before university I had to lie in social oriented subjects to mirror the teachers opinions, otherwise you were considered "narrow minded" and you got worse grades.

I lie to my parents to avoid arguments.
I don't lie to my friends though, they have to deal with the truth.

 

[Marter]

Our society would not function if nobody lied.

I read that an average conversation contains three lies.

One of these three statements is false. Which one is it?

See, lying is fun.

 

[Zhukov]

I will cheerfully lie my arse off without a care in the world.

I consider an act bad (or at least regrettable) if it causes harm or distress. Yes, you can harm someone with a well-placed lie, sure, but that lie is bad because it harmed someone, not because it was a lie.

So if I can bring about what I consider to be a net positive by using a lie, then yeah... chances are that lie is going to occur in short order.

 

[Jedoro]

Lying is a necessary evil. I avoid it as much as possible through misdirection, not telling the whole truth, or telling the truth in a kinder degree. Thus, what I do say is true.

 

[Phasmal]

I don't like lying or dishonesty of any sort. But I also do not like hurting people's feelings.
If it won't matter whether I lie or not and it will just make someone feel better if I lie, then I will. But I will probably feel guilty about it for a bit.

 

[Fappy]

It completely depends on the circumstances. That being said I lie just as much as the next guy but it is never meant to cause harm or ill.

 

[Jonluw]

I try to stick to the truth on almost all occasions, because I believe lies generally cause more problems than they solve.
That's not to say I won't lie if it appears the situation really calls for it. I'm also no stranger to presenting the truth in ways that benefit me.

 

[manic_depressive13]

I think the ability to lie convincingly is one of the most important skills someone can have.

 

[theSteamSupported]

The truth hurts. But behind every closed door, lies a scandal.

 

[Cazza]

I don't really lie unless I'm sure lying would be better for both parties (they don't get hurt feelings I don't get in trouble.) I lie most about the question "How was your day?"

Should we bring up omission? I omit lots because I'm not a chatty person.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Should we bring up omission? I omit lots because I'm not a chatty person.

Lying by omission implies that the information being omitted is something the other person might consider essential in some capacity. Like hiding an affair.

Just "not being chatty" doesn't mean you're lying by omission.

 

[Raven's Nest]

as im joining the army as an officer there are 5 quality's they stress (at least in the UK army) and one of those is integrity, so I always tell the truth unless telling the truth is unnecessary and/or counter productive (e.g telling someone just how retarded/ugly/fat they are)

Good luck with your officer career. But don't forget integrity is not just about telling the truth. An honest person would admit stealing a cookie. A person with integrity wouldn't take the cookie in the first place, they'd also report someone who did.

As for me. Sometimes lies are necessary, sometimes people ask for an opinion but seek only comfort and not criticism. It takes great wisdom to tell the difference. The only person you should never lie to is yourself.

 

[Antitonic]

I've tried to cut back on the "white lies". I'll tell people what I think, and expect the same in return.

I realize I probably lie more than I'm aware of, but I try to be honest when I'm aware of it at least. That custom title isn't just for show, you know!

 

[Broady Brio]

I atempt to be honest, but normally, I end up saying along the lines of something showing that I don't know. They can't ask me anything if they think that I don't know.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

When I do lie it feels awful. I work hard to avoid being lazy or cowardly and tell the truth as I would appreciate it if someone else did the same in the same situation.

Other times it is fun and acceptable... [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/362.283328-Blatant-Lies?page=1]

^.^

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

If I can avoid lying I will, and I try to be a honest person.

Although, I can and will lie my ass off if I have to. I used to lie more than I do now and I had to tone it down because it was getting ridiculous, and I was doing no one any favors, not that they knew.

So, believe me, I'm a liar.

 

[Rawne1980]

So, believe me, I'm a liar.

Rubbish....

Next you'll be telling me you're not really a toaster..