Why do we lie?

[SomethingUnrelated]

Lying is something that every human has done. From the little white lies right the way up. Everyone does it. All the time.

A: Why didn't you come to the party last weekend?
B: (Doesn't want to say "couldn't be arsed") I was ill.

My question is "why"? Life would be some much easier for most people. Even I do it, and in all fairness, I'd prefer it if I could stop myself, and just tell the truth. It's unnecessary most, if not all, of the time. I can undertsand that there are few, isolated occasions when it is, but again, most of the time it isn't.

What are your thoughts? Don't tell me i'm "wrong". It's an opinion based subject. Post and Enjoy.

 

[Mr.Black]

Because it's easier. Because you don't want to hurt people. Because you're a jerk.

Pick one.

 

[j0z]

Because we don't want to tell the truth

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I only lie if telling the truth would work against my favour.

Otherwise, if it was something like why I didn't go to a party, I'd be as blunt as the unpopular doctor's hypodermic syringe.

 

[HE Starwind]

I compulsively lie for attention. Apparently childhood problems or something.

 

[TheFacelessOne]

Because we don't want to hurt feelings, usually.

That is my reason, but sometimes I lie because I feel the person in front of me is going to eat me for dinner, no matter if I tell the truth of not.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Hobo Joe]

The truth hurts, lying is a key defence mechanism, to protect ourselves from possible harm from others and to prevent hurting another person's feelings.

 

[Origin Of Resistance]

I think the question should be: "Why do we tell the truth?"

Nobody honestly cares about the truth anymore. Take the media!

They publish a load of stories about things that aren't even true, and for what? Ratings? Money?

OT: I think we lie due to our egos.

 

[Adzma]

Sometimes comforting someone with a lie feels better than hurting them with the truth. Unfortunately if you are on the receiving end, and you realise that they are actually lying, you feel worse.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

A feeling of inadequacy. In ourselves or our answers.

 

[Neonbob]

Because telling the truth is so boring.
Wouldn't you prefer to say that you were deep sea elephant wrangling when you were supposed to be doing homework/chores/activity goes here?
Lying keeps things interesting!

...and sometimes you're ashamed of the truth.
Those two things combine to make lying a hard thing to fight against.

 

[GrinningManiac]

As humans, we are social animals, and hate the idea of communal rejection. Therefore, telling John that you couldn't come to the party because you couldn't be buggered not only alienates you from John, it makes everyone on his side of the argument (I.E. Everyone else) reject you. Since we hate this idea of being alone (Not nerd-in-house alone, TRULY alone) we lie, to bypass the reprecussions

 

[Metric Monkey]

The truth hurts.

We tell lies to keep others happy and keep up a good image of ourselves.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Parallel Streaks]

You're asking a personal question to compulsive liars? This is a big old heap of irony served right into your lap, isn't it?

OT: Because people don't like awkward or uncomfortable conversations, so we simply lie to avert massive awkward silences. If a person asks "Why did you cancel our plans?" you don't say "You smell, we have nothing in common and I think I may genuinely hate you", you say "Oh, family emergency". That way nobodies feelings are hurt, and it's all good and dandy.

 

[El Poncho]

Well when someone says want to go out? and it's one of those days you can't be bothered:

Friend: Wanna go out?
Me: No
Friend: Why?
Me: Can't be bothered
Friend: You need a better excuse than that
Me: Going to Rangers game.

So I may aswell lie from the start since no one takes no as an answer.

 

[Segadroid]

The truth hurts.
We tell lies to keep others happy and keep up a good image of ourselves.

I pretty much second that.
Lies keep the world tied together, if we always told the truth it would be chaos in the streets.

Example:

Girlfriend: "Do you like my new hairstyle?"

You: "Actually no, I never liked your disgusting taste of hairstyles anyway. I mean what the hell, black with yellow? It's the reason I never let you meet my other friends, you'll shame me for life. I never say this to you though, because I don't want to hurt your feelings."

Now don't tell me that won't hurt.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I think we lie due to our egos.

Even the least egotistical person will lie to protect someone and the like. It depends on the context.

 

[Amnestic]

I don't lie.