How many of us have or still tell white lies to either cover up mistakes, or not to elicit the truth? Research shows that people tend to lie.
One study found that some people tell lies about two or three times in around 10 minutes. It seems to have become common place in today’s society. It has also become socially acceptable to lie about someone or something.
As a child, I don’t remember telling white lies. I would always tell the truth to my mum when she asked me a question. Sibling arguments are a contributing factor to the odd white lie, although I remember being on the receiving end for most of those arguments. I certainly wasn’t the perpetrator.
But is it right to lie? I personally believe it isn’t because the more we lie, the more we will continue to lie. Unfortunately, whereas white lies may be an acceptable part of childhood, white lies will turn into black ones when we’re adults; we've just got better at covering our tracks. But we will always get found out.
We've also got better and become more experienced at knowing what to and how to say something to ward off any further communication. Nine times out of ten other people will believe what we say, unless what’s being said doesn’t make sense.
I also think there is an honesty concern. When we’re not being honest with someone, we’re not being honest with ourselves. It isn't possible to grow emotionally or spiritually when you’re always telling white lies?
I always tell the truth in a diplomatic and compassionate way that doesn't offend. To me the truth is always the best policy.
People tell white lies all the time.
From past experiences with it, it's usually when people don't want others to know about certain information or if they don't feel like having to explain a certain situation.
I also find this troubling because one lie always leads to another and another.
It becomes a cycle that always starts with "just one lie".
Ditto. Totally agree with you. Thanks for posting LeAnna.
I agree completely with Lisa. We all lie to varying extents, from 'little white ones' sometimes, to protect someone's feelings, to fabricating events for one's own selfish ends.
As a child I lied all the time to get myself out of trouble. I was usually found out and I got into more trouble for lying than I would have, if I'd owned up and been honest in the first place. Getting sent to bed without dinner was a regular occurrence for me!
Best not to start in the first place and that's a good lesson to learn early in life.
I totally agree with you. We invariably don't get away with telling little white lies; although those who start telling lies out of necessity will find it more difficult to stop.
Our circumstances sometimes dictate what we say and how we say it.
We all tell white lies. Telling your kids that Santa or the Easter bunny or the tooth fairy are real to telling your wife that "no honey, those jeans don't make you look fat."
Sometimes it's a necessary part of life. In school when asked "why do you talk slow?" or "why do you walk like that?" I would automatically have a prepared a white lie to say to them; mainly to save myself from the embarrassment of not knowing "Why."
I think we all did and still do, it.
Lovely to have you on site Bill. I think you're right,l not only do we sometimes tell white lies so that we don't embarrass others particularly around clothes, but with what we may deal with too.
It also saves having to go through lots of detail to explain why we may struggle with certain things.
I agree with you. I can't specifically remember telling white lies, but I'm sure I have at some point or another. I don't make it a practice.
Ditto. I don't make a practice of telling white lies either. Good for you.