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Should you always tell the truth, even if it makes things awkward? (Original Post) debm55 Thursday OP
Yes, always. Aviation Pro Thursday #1
Thank you very much, Aviation Pro, I agree with your statement. debm55 Thursday #2
I think honesty is usually the best path unless it can causes hurt that serves no purpose. walkingman Thursday #3
if you can't say something good don't say anything at all. rampartd Thursday #10
I always side with telling the truth Grim Chieftain Thursday #4
Well, don't lie. Full truth is not always necessary if bad feelings will likely result among family, etc. No Vested Interest Thursday #5
Being truthful is important.... anciano Thursday #6
Nobody likes being lied to. Dorothy V Thursday #7
Someone told me many years ago, and I carry it to this day JMCKUSICK Thursday #8
That is so true. zanana1 Yesterday #13
Knowing those moments when the bald truth is really not appropriate, nocoincidences Thursday #9
I never lie about anything JoseBalow Yesterday #11
I don't know any more! True Dough Yesterday #12
The truth can be an insult. zanana1 Yesterday #14
Yes. a white lie or not saying saying anything. But when does the "truth" step into gaslighting? debm55 23 hrs ago #15
I support Kurt Vonnegut's concept of "foma" - harmless untruths. Aristus 21 hrs ago #16
But if it not true, is it not a lie? debm55 21 hrs ago #17
Probably not, but I do anyway. malthaussen 20 hrs ago #18
Thank you very much malthaussen. Sometimes the truth will out. but sometimes it doesn't debm55 20 hrs ago #20
my experience is that truth is always best mike_c 20 hrs ago #19

walkingman

(10,143 posts)
3. I think honesty is usually the best path unless it can causes hurt that serves no purpose.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 04:52 PM
Thursday

My life philosophy is being kind not cruel. Sometimes if it even involves telling a "white lie".

Grim Chieftain

(951 posts)
4. I always side with telling the truth
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 04:59 PM
Thursday

Last edited Thu Nov 20, 2025, 06:27 PM - Edit history (1)

But I always preface it with "just remember you asked".

Edit to add - It's important to be tactful, compassionate and considerate of one's feelings, but gently tell the truth.
There. That's better.

No Vested Interest

(5,273 posts)
5. Well, don't lie. Full truth is not always necessary if bad feelings will likely result among family, etc.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 05:25 PM
Thursday

anciano

(2,040 posts)
6. Being truthful is important....
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 05:30 PM
Thursday

unless it's about the size of that fish I caught last summer.

Dorothy V

(416 posts)
7. Nobody likes being lied to.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 05:37 PM
Thursday

If you really think telling the truth would be harmful in some way, remember that silence is golden.

JMCKUSICK

(4,639 posts)
8. Someone told me many years ago, and I carry it to this day
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 05:43 PM
Thursday

"Honesty without kindness is Cruel"

nocoincidences

(2,443 posts)
9. Knowing those moments when the bald truth is really not appropriate,
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 06:25 PM
Thursday

is an art.

Ex. Do these pants make my butt look big?

Being right is not always the correct response.

It's winning the battle or winning the war. Choose carefully.

True Dough

(25,199 posts)
12. I don't know any more!
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 05:59 AM
Yesterday

Lying through your teeth can result in you inhabiting the highest office in the land.

Sadly, that might be incentive for some people to lie.



zanana1

(6,452 posts)
14. The truth can be an insult.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 06:14 AM
Yesterday

I was at a social gathering not long ago, and a 10 year old kid pointed at me and yelled "YOU'RE FAT"! I took the little sh..kid aside and told him that hurting someone's feelings is not funny and that he should think about what he says. He smiled and said "HAH HAH"! I wanted to swat him. (Can you tell I don't have kids?).

debm55

(52,880 posts)
15. Yes. a white lie or not saying saying anything. But when does the "truth" step into gaslighting?
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:20 AM
23 hrs ago

Aristus

(71,356 posts)
16. I support Kurt Vonnegut's concept of "foma" - harmless untruths.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:39 AM
21 hrs ago

"How do I look in this?"

"You look lovely. You always do".

malthaussen

(18,327 posts)
18. Probably not, but I do anyway.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:20 PM
20 hrs ago

The truth, or say nothing. It is possible, however, to dodge potentially awkward questions depending on the context.

But when all evasion fails, the truth will out.

-- Mal

debm55

(52,880 posts)
20. Thank you very much malthaussen. Sometimes the truth will out. but sometimes it doesn't
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:44 PM
20 hrs ago

mike_c

(36,854 posts)
19. my experience is that truth is always best
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:22 PM
20 hrs ago

Even good intentioned lies eventually become indefensible and are never a good look. The truth usually comes out sooner or later.

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