Even 'white' lies are still lies
By JJ
@JolietJake (50190)
May 25, 2017 4:58am CST
Sure...no one is a paragon of virtue.
But from a personal viewpoint, I don't understand why some people think 'white' lies are perfectly acceptable.
To me, it seems people are saying "Oh yes, you can trust me...I only lie about the unimportant stuff". 
Don't get me wrong...I don't go for the whole "The truth shall set you free" rigmarole.
I've been to court too many times to believe THAT one. 
But to me, a 'white' lie is still exactly what it is called...a lie.
And if there is one thing I absolutely hate, it is being lied to.
I'd rather you hurt my feelings (if possible) or even just tell me something is none of my damn business.
Just don't lie to me.
Because really, if you lie to me about one thing...no matter how small or inconsequential you may think it is...and I find out...then how do you expect me to believe anything you tell me?
That one lie plants the first seed of doubt...and it is a vine that doesn't take much nurturing to grow.
Maybe I just expect too much from people...
Don't get me wrong...I don't go for the whole "The truth shall set you free" rigmarole.
I've been to court too many times to believe THAT one.
But to me, a 'white' lie is still exactly what it is called...a lie.
And if there is one thing I absolutely hate, it is being lied to.
I'd rather you hurt my feelings (if possible) or even just tell me something is none of my damn business.
Just don't lie to me.
Because really, if you lie to me about one thing...no matter how small or inconsequential you may think it is...and I find out...then how do you expect me to believe anything you tell me?
That one lie plants the first seed of doubt...and it is a vine that doesn't take much nurturing to grow.
Maybe I just expect too much from people...28 people like this
32 responses
@jaboUK (64350)
• United Kingdom
25 May 17
I think it's perfectly acceptable to tell a 'white lie' if the truth would hurt someone's feelings, and the lie does absolutely no harm to anyone else whatsoever.
For instance, if someone gives me a present that I don't like, I will say I like it and thank them nicely. They've spent time and money on getting me the present, so what harm does it do to be gracious?
Having said that, I would never tell a lie for personal gain or to make myself look good. But you think that I am more likely to do that because I've previously told a 'white' lie?
8 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
I'm just bluntly honest. To me, telling a 'white lie' is the same as being fake...I might thank the person, but I'm not going to tell them I liked something if I didn't....they might get me something just like it again.
4 people like this
@Fleura (31806)
• United Kingdom
25 May 17
So how do you feel abut telling children lies like the one about Father Christmas, or the Easter Bunny? I have never told mine these things as truths, I have told them they are myths people like to believe, but it seems like a losing battle when everyone else around talks about them as if they were facts.
And yes I'm with @JaboUK on this one, there are circumstances when bending the truth is justified to avoid offence, like when someone gives you a gift you've already got or don't really like. One of my friends has rather unusual social skills, he doesn't believe in saying please or thankyou for example. I once gave him a DVD as a birthday gift, it was a film I really loved and the subject matter was something we were both interested in so I though he might appreciate it. He just looked at it and said 'Why did you get me this?' I think I would have preferred it if he'd just said 'Thanks very much' and then donated it to a charity shop the next week!
4 people like this
@jujunme (2501)
• United States
26 May 17
@JolietJake Once you say thank you for a gift you received, your tone of voice will give away whether you liked it or not and if it's negative, the person giving you the gift will say ''what's the matter? don't you like your gift?
now what do you say?
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
Thanking someone for the thought of the gift is entirely different than gushing "Oh I absolutely love this"...
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
25 May 17
People..hmm what are those? Only way to avoid getting lied to, is to avoid them.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
25 May 17
@JolietJake Uh huh. I had to make a pact with myself to avoid them.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
They are these weird creatures I keep bumping into...can't seem to get away from them lol
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (476762)
• Italy
25 May 17
@JolietJake If people tell a "small" lie thinking it's nothing or normal, I imagine they will be ready to tell a "big" lie in case they think they must cover their back.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (356472)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 17
I agree. Who's to decide if a lie is 'small' or 'inconsequential'? It might be nothing to the liar but a huge deal to the one being lied to.
And it is not just the lie that is bad. That is one thing. But the hurt/anger/whatever of being deceived is a second issue. Far too many lies get found out to make it a good thing. Not that that is a good reason not to lie - and as I'm now tying myself in knots I'll shut up. 
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45942)
• United States
25 May 17
I will feign ignorance rather than lie about something. When it comes to telling the truth I feel it is important. Don't lie to me about something and expect me to hold you in high regards.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
Trust is a very important issue to me...if I feel I can't trust you, there's really not much more to base any type of relationship on.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45942)
• United States
30 May 17
@JolietJake I agree. Hard to get that trust back too if someone has broken it.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58470)
• Germany
26 May 17
Well in short if you do not want to hurt others better to keep quiet and just smile
1 person likes this
@allknowing (147846)
• India
26 May 17
If anyone here has responded saying they do not tell white lies but they actually do, then that is not a white life but a downright lie
1 person likes this
Lol, yes lies are lies, whatever color is.@akp100 (13640)
• India
25 May 17
@JolietJake That's good that you can handle it. But I know many who can't handle and end up in messing with the truth teller. So may be that's why some of them avoid it.
So may be that's why some of them avoid it.1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
Sometimes the truth is gonna hurt, but I'd rather be hurt than lied to
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
25 May 17
Some cultures/people seem to find them perfectly acceptable
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
26 May 17
I would assume that many people who says they have never lied (white or any oher color) are lying.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
26 May 17
@JolietJake LOL - glad you are feeling better and your sense of humor hasn't suffered any.
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
26 May 17
I agree. I live with someone who habitually lies or embellishes her truths and sh has been doing so for the last 30 years I have known her..
it is sad when you consider someone your friend but often don't believe anything she says unless you were there to witness it yourself.
@anamika161088 (11866)
• India
26 May 17
Sometimes lie can save someone's life or reputation or can be beneficial to great extent. If a lie is not harming anyone, it can be acceptable.
@Slayqueen (918)
• India
25 May 17
I think you're right.. white lies are still lies.. and once we lie to someone it becomes nearly impossible for us to gain their trust again..
1 person likes this
