Thursday, June 7, 2012

I'd be lying...

June 7, 2012: List 8 reasons it is okay to lie.


I'm home sick today (and probably should have stayed home yesterday, too,) so I've had a lot of time to think on this one. I've also had a lot of time to watch killers on CSI/Law & Order/Any other cop show that does daily marathons lie, so I've had some practice watching liars.

1. If it saves my hide (and I can still fix it.)
I'm a to-do list kind of person. I generally don't forget to do things, but when I do, I think it's okay to lie. I generally will run back to my office/computer/phone to fix whatever it is I forgot to do, but if I can claim that I did something and it gets me out of trouble, or doesn't make me look incompetent, I think that's okay.

2. If it makes you feel better.
People are constantly looking for validation from those around them on their fashion or purchases or decisions. If I know that telling you the truth will break your heart (like telling a student that I think their tee-shirt design is ugly, or telling a bride her colors are hideous), I will lie and make you feel a little better.

3. If it fixes the situation.
I can be super picky on some things. If I know that my picky food choices will complicate the situation we are in, or that my opinion on a topic for discussion in a meeting is going to turn it into a Marathon Meeting, I'll lie.

4. To kids. (yes, Julia, you are spot on with this one.)
We lie to kids all the time, and sometimes its just easier to lie than break their heart so early in their lives (Santa, Tooth Fairy, the list goes on.) Click over to Julia's blog to read about the Music Truck. I may use that one, too.

5. When it makes my life easier.
"I can't meet at 9 a.m. on Monday. How about 10:30?" Not just work related. To the doctor, the dentist, etc.
I can't function at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, or on Sundays. Of course, if it's a make or break I can make it happen. But I can't go to that concert because I'm busy (translate: I can't stand that band), etc.

6. When it's about money
I have no desire to talk about money (on a personal level), so I won't. If I can't go to that concert because of money, I'll say I'm busy, or I don't like them, or whatever. My friends always want to talk about how much you pay for rent (they pay $1000 less than I do, because I live in Chicago), or how much their car payments are, what their weddings cost, and I always manage to evade/lie/just completely avoid the discussions.

7.  When it avoids more questions.
When you become an adult and you spent more time at work than you do at home, you sometimes have to deal with personal things at work - like scheduling doctor appointments, receiving packages, and taking phone calls. I will tell you that everything is totally fine if it means that you will leave me alone and not make me continue to talk about whatever is going on. When I'm ready, I will share.

8. When I know that it won't hurt anyone.
Sometimes, it's okay to cover for others - if a lie helps someone else out, makes someone look good, or is just a helpful "fib," I think it's okay.

So, this is a lot of things. I feel like a bad person for saying I'd lie so much - I'd prefer the term fib. I'm generally going to opt for the truth. But...sometimes, just sometimes, it might be okay.

---
I'm participating in a daily blog prompt with Reverb Broads. Join me!

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Post a Comment

I'd love to hear what you think!

I'd be lying...

| Thursday, June 7, 2012
June 7, 2012: List 8 reasons it is okay to lie.


I'm home sick today (and probably should have stayed home yesterday, too,) so I've had a lot of time to think on this one. I've also had a lot of time to watch killers on CSI/Law & Order/Any other cop show that does daily marathons lie, so I've had some practice watching liars.

1. If it saves my hide (and I can still fix it.)
I'm a to-do list kind of person. I generally don't forget to do things, but when I do, I think it's okay to lie. I generally will run back to my office/computer/phone to fix whatever it is I forgot to do, but if I can claim that I did something and it gets me out of trouble, or doesn't make me look incompetent, I think that's okay.

2. If it makes you feel better.
People are constantly looking for validation from those around them on their fashion or purchases or decisions. If I know that telling you the truth will break your heart (like telling a student that I think their tee-shirt design is ugly, or telling a bride her colors are hideous), I will lie and make you feel a little better.

3. If it fixes the situation.
I can be super picky on some things. If I know that my picky food choices will complicate the situation we are in, or that my opinion on a topic for discussion in a meeting is going to turn it into a Marathon Meeting, I'll lie.

4. To kids. (yes, Julia, you are spot on with this one.)
We lie to kids all the time, and sometimes its just easier to lie than break their heart so early in their lives (Santa, Tooth Fairy, the list goes on.) Click over to Julia's blog to read about the Music Truck. I may use that one, too.

5. When it makes my life easier.
"I can't meet at 9 a.m. on Monday. How about 10:30?" Not just work related. To the doctor, the dentist, etc.
I can't function at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, or on Sundays. Of course, if it's a make or break I can make it happen. But I can't go to that concert because I'm busy (translate: I can't stand that band), etc.

6. When it's about money
I have no desire to talk about money (on a personal level), so I won't. If I can't go to that concert because of money, I'll say I'm busy, or I don't like them, or whatever. My friends always want to talk about how much you pay for rent (they pay $1000 less than I do, because I live in Chicago), or how much their car payments are, what their weddings cost, and I always manage to evade/lie/just completely avoid the discussions.

7.  When it avoids more questions.
When you become an adult and you spent more time at work than you do at home, you sometimes have to deal with personal things at work - like scheduling doctor appointments, receiving packages, and taking phone calls. I will tell you that everything is totally fine if it means that you will leave me alone and not make me continue to talk about whatever is going on. When I'm ready, I will share.

8. When I know that it won't hurt anyone.
Sometimes, it's okay to cover for others - if a lie helps someone else out, makes someone look good, or is just a helpful "fib," I think it's okay.

So, this is a lot of things. I feel like a bad person for saying I'd lie so much - I'd prefer the term fib. I'm generally going to opt for the truth. But...sometimes, just sometimes, it might be okay.

---
I'm participating in a daily blog prompt with Reverb Broads. Join me!

0 comments:

Post a Comment

I'd love to hear what you think!

 

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