Friday, September 24, 2010

Liar

I have always lived by the motto that a lie is never appropriate. If someone straight-up asks me a question, I will straight up answer. Be careful how you word your questions though, because I can dodge artfully.

I recently find myself wondering, are there situations when it is appropriate to lie? I'm not talking about Santa or E. Bunny.

For instance, let's say there is a young man I fancy and we become close and decide it is time for a good cuddle or a smooch. Isn't that my own private business? If some nosy individual asks if I have kissed him, isn't it my own prerogative to keep that between lucky young man and myself?
That scenario being posed, I am not currently in this situation, so don't think this is some scandalous, juicy confession.

Is it okay to lie simply to protect my private life?

*Side note - I was proofreading this and realized I had typed, "I recently found myself wonderful." (instead of wondering) Whoops!

8 comments:

j said...

It's not a lie to say that you aren't going to answer a question.

Larissa said...

But not answering always implies guilt. I know that it means you aren't answering either way, but most people assume guilt.

S.R. Braddy said...

I find threats of physical violence to be especially helpful in this situation.

The ONLY way to avoid this situation is to take a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" stance CONSISTENTLY - meaning that you never say that you HAVEN'T kissed, either. And you'd better have started it ten years ago. Otherwise, you're out of luck.

Larissa said...

!(#@*%_@(*$_!!!! *sigh* I hearby take a stance of don't ask don't tell regarding my personal relationships with folks. Better late than never, right?

Marianne & Clayton said...

In a society that has forgone all class in favor of tell-all, reality 24/7, I think we are forced to lie in situations like these.

As far as lying being "wrong", imagine if some obnoxious, nosy friend was asking you these questions in front of your bishop or even the prophet. I think they would want you to lie rather than have you blab about something private and special.

Besides, a kiss is a story that is only half yours to tell. And you should never air someone else's laundry, dirty or otherwise.

Katie Robertson said...

I personally think the best way to get out of is to play it off as a joke. I mean, if you say 'I don't want to talk about it,' it seems like you're getting defensive. You said already that it implies guilt. I always jokingly say something like 'well that's none of your business!' and laugh a bit. If they seem suspicious I just explain I don't like to talk about those things and say something like 'so I guess you'll never know.' Haha. Although they might still be suspicious, they'll be doubtful and unable to come to any conclusions. And in most cases (with my friends at least), if you make it known that you honestly don't want to talk about it, people will be respectful. You hope.... :P

miss kristen said...

There is NOTHING wrong with lying to protect oneself.

I kinda did the same thing---right now.

Jon said...

Remember how I went a whole year with my family convinced I had a serious girlfriend, just because I refused to talk about my dating life? Sure, it frustrates them, but it was totally worth it. They quit asking, and never assume guilt anymore.

But you have to be able to trust people. I still talk to my friends about dating, because I never know when one of them might want to set me up with someone...