On White Lies

[alcon]

White lies are supposed to be relatively positive things, right? That's the whole 'white' thing. They're supposed to avoid hurt feelings. Telling someone they look fine, when they don't and what not. The idea being that does it really do you any harm to save the person's feeling by hiding what you truely think

Comments

[songtocecilia]

While I agree with you that honesty is important, I think sometimes there's a fine line between blunt honesty and meanness. After all, if someone asks you about their appearance in general, there's almost always something positive to say.

[alcon]

Like I said, it's rare that I say something negative even when speaking the truth. But I feel like the negative needs to be there on the occation that I actually feel that way for the positive to actually mean anything. With out the bad, how do you know that good is actually good?

[songtocecilia]

Well, there's always silence... I dunno, my policy is "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
In other words, I try not to offend people ever. I guess if they really begged for it, I might... Like if they wouldn't let me get away with a vague answer or a positive aspect... But that doesn't happen too often.

[plutofriends]

I like your honestly. (Despite that it sometimes results in wanting to kick you) I know I may not always like what you say, but I know it's what you are really thinking. And it is refreshing to be friends with someone with such a different take on things. I don't tell white lies, but I just keep my mouth shut. So keep up with the honesty thing, it is a good thing.

[mizbitch2you]

Everyone wants to be told they're beautiful by someone who would tell them the truth if they weren't.

I read that somewhere.

But seriously, honesty is, while not always appreciated, generally beneficial. That said, it is often kind to let your honesty take the form of helpful advice rather than douchey criticism. (How do you like my new haircut? being answered with "let me help you try a new style for it" rather than "oh god what is that monster on your head".)

[alcon]

Yeah. But one does not always have an idea for improvement. In which case the addendum is: but don't worry, it'll grow back and you can try something different.

[faelegacy]

The world needs more people who are willing to be honest even when it might be easier (or just plain seem nicer) all around to tell a small lie. Kudos to you, sir.