It is OK to tell a lie once in a while?

United States
October 11, 2016 7:40am CST
I know I'll get positive and negative answers to that but I expect it. I told a lie, a fib is a better word, yesterday and while it's not huge in the scope of things. I feel bad that I did it. Relatives of friends, a couple who we only met once for a half hour a year ago, will be in our area today. The female of the couple asked if we would like to meet them for dinner today. This is a busy week for us. Besides the yard sale, I have a dentist appointment, doctor visit, shopping trips, a meeting and a lot of other things that will take up time. I explained that to her....I guess when you get right down to it I didn't lie. I told her we are busy and we really are. She said maybe the next time - and maybe that will be a better time. But this week is out. Is that a lie or fib that I told or did I just embellish the truth a little? Photo: pixabay.com/en/truth-lie-streetj-sign-contrast-257160/
32 people like this
36 responses
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
11 Oct 16
It doesn't sound like a lie to me.
8 people like this
@vandana7 (98877)
• India
11 Oct 16
Sometimes people hurt .. and we know they would ... and yet, we need to be kind to ourselves too... god did not lay down rules for these situations, so we are at liberty to define them. I would rather fib to escape the situation than they come over, and then me grumble at the dishes.
5 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@vandana7 Will probably meet up with the next time. Right now I have a splitting headache from trying to accomplish things today.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Good, thanks.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458642)
• Switzerland
11 Oct 16
You told the truth, you are busy and it's not the right time to meet.
7 people like this
@LadyDuck (458642)
• Switzerland
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill I would have said the same. There are some days that I really do not feel to go out, it's more a stress than a pleasure.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@LadyDuck right now I'm between chores, so I have a little time here but not time to go to the next town and have a leisurely dinner.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Thanks, always nice to get more opinions.
5 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Oct 16
It sounds like you just told the truth about your week really.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic We chat on Facebook all the time and I've heard from her a few times today - all is well.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
I hope she took it the right way.
3 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill She probably did, but it may be disappointed.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
11 Oct 16
Its festive season almost everywhere so it's understandable that people could be busy!
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
It just happens this week is very busy,normally not so much.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@Daljinder I was trying to avoid hurting anyone.
3 people like this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill I would have replied the same. Anyway, to answer the title, it is not bad to lie once in a while but regularly and to hurt someone is wrong. You didn't hurt someone.
3 people like this
@XinfulThotz (4140)
• Singapore, Singapore
11 Oct 16
A white lie that doesn't harm anyone is alright at times. But or course one needs to have a good memory in order to lie. Cos one lie may need many lies to cover up.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Since I don't normally lie it is easy for me to keep up with and remember what i say.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@XinfulThotz It is/was the truth.
3 people like this
• Singapore, Singapore
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill but actually not really a lie afrer i read again
1 person likes this
@saulgoodman (2643)
• Dundee, Scotland
11 Oct 16
Well I for the life of me cannot see a lie or even a fib. You told the truth.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Thanks, I hope it was obvious and it was.
3 people like this
• Dundee, Scotland
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill I might be slow on the uptake but you didn't even embellish the truth.
1 person likes this
@zebra2222 (5269)
• United States
12 Oct 16
Politicians make it a habit to lie. Truth can be a precious commodity with some people.
2 people like this
• United States
12 Oct 16
Well, you're right and I would make a lousy politician.
@vandana7 (98877)
• India
11 Oct 16
I often do, to avoid any confrontation or pain. Or escape a tight corner..
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
I guess since I don't really know them it's different than if they were true friend....if that makes a difference.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
I do that sometimes too! Nothing wrong with it. It is the truth still since you're busy! I mean you could see her for lunch but it'd just be Inconvenient to squeeze her in the schedule
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill Opps dinner ! I was thinking about what I was going to eat for lunch
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
They wanted to do dinner.
3 people like this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
11 Oct 16
For me it's not a lie. You just made a good reason for her to understand. Also, for me, a white lie can be acceptable if it is really needed in a situation.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Sometimes a white lie is better than hurting feelings.
3 people like this
@paigea (35715)
• Canada
11 Oct 16
It sounds like you are busy, and not lying.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Very true - I/we are busy.
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Oct 16
If I liked the couple I would have suggested an hour lunch. If I did not really care for them I would say, sorry I am so booked this week I am not sure I will get to shower. But yes I do lie to keep from hurting peoples feelings.
2 people like this
• United States
12 Oct 16
They wanted dinner I don't know why exactly they were up this way I didn't ask and she didn't say.
11 Oct 16
You told the truth that you had a very full week. She got the clue that you couldn't make the time that night to meet with them, for dinner. Were you able to arrange a meet-up for another day while they were in your area?
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Next time they are heading this way we'll try to get together. they live several hours from here.
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
11 Oct 16
That is for you to decide.No hurt feeling, or misunderstanding, so let it go.
3 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Very true, gone it is LOL
3 people like this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
11 Oct 16
3 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
12 Oct 16
I sometimes invent an excuse just so i can't attend to an invitation . Though i feel guilty i fibbed .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
13 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill Sometimes we just have to do it for a valid reason .
• United States
12 Oct 16
I don't feel bad, and if I really had lied I would feel bad.
1 person likes this
@PurnaSharma (2557)
• Guwahati, India
12 Oct 16
There might be three probable reason for which you felt so 1. You could arrange time out of your busy schedule though it could hard.So it made you feel embarrassment on ignoring. 2. Intentionally you weren't willing to attain as you thought it's all mess which give more stress rather than fun along.So you embellished truth in such a way that they could believe but the fib seemed lie to you though they believed. 3. or both were the reason.
1 person likes this
• Guwahati, India
12 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill ....I knew but when we take it in writing it should be texture. .lol
• United States
12 Oct 16
Wow, I don't think I put that much thought into it LOL.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40572)
• United States
11 Oct 16
I think we all embellish at times. It's usually to keep from hurting someone's feelings and most of the time that seems to be okay.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
She is a nice lady and we seem to get along well so hopefully we'll get together another time.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
@1creekgirl She's chatted with me a few times today on FB so all is well.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40572)
• United States
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill You really did tell the truth when you said you were busy. I'm sure they understood.
1 person likes this
@Jenning (2016)
• Nigeria
12 Oct 16
Looking at what you stated, there's no iota of lies there. It isn't your fault that you're busy, anything can spill over our expectations, that doesn't mean you told a lie. You're just good.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Oct 16
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate that.
1 person likes this
@Jenning (2016)
• Nigeria
12 Oct 16
@Pass12 (998)
12 Oct 16
You didn't lie to her. You just explained that you're busy this week. I don't see it as a lie, don't worry
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Oct 16
Thanks, I don't think I lied either.
1 person likes this
@Pass12 (998)
12 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill yeah you gave a genuine explanation .
@Happy2BeMe (99392)
• Canada
11 Oct 16
I would not consider that a lie.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 16
Another good answer LOL, thanks.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99392)
• Canada
11 Oct 16
@AbbyGreenhill You are welcome!
3 people like this