It seems that whenever lying is being discussed people are quick to come up with justifications for why it's okay in certain situations, the classic one being that you were served food that you didn't like but when asked said that you did.

This seems to assume that the other people in fact would have preferred the lie over the truth. So I ask: when do you yourself prefer the lie?

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[–] 21 points 1 month ago

In situations where learning the true information would only cause me worry and stress, even though I'm powerless to do anything about it. For example, let's say my sister's dog has fallen ill and I'm on holiday somewhere. I'd rather be told that everything is fine and only learn about the truth when I came back.

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  • [–] 33 points 1 month ago

    None, it assumes you don’t respect my ability to handle information.

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  • [–] 13 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    None. Literally none. Sometimes I think people should keep their mouths shut and not say anything when it isn't necessary, but I don't want someone to lie to me for any reason whatsoever.

    (People can say things that aren't true as jokes of course, those aren't lies.)

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  • [–] 10 points 1 month ago

    When I am experiencing media which is a piece of fiction such as a book, movie or TV show.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 month ago

    Memetic hazards. Hands down no question, lie to me.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 month ago* (1 child)

    I wish people would get back to lying when I ask them how they're doing. The new "how're you?/"oh bad"/"oh what's wrong?"/"oh you know, just kinda everything" interchange annoys me because it's considered rude to then actually vent your spleen about the everything that is wrong. Either lie to me and say you're fine, or say you're bad and bring up a topic you want to discuss, but don't say you're bad and then expect me to ask no follow-up questions.

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  • [–] 1 point 4 weeks ago

    Yeah, this is an example of "having it both ways".

    Pick a lane, stop dragging me along.

    We could have both, but unfortunately people who are having a shitty time, tend to... well be in shitty mood and act accordingly.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 month ago

    I'm old and now I know, no lie is worth it. Ever.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago

    I can't think of a single situation in which I would prefer to be lied to about.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago* (2 children)

    Hmm I really had to think hard about an example bc I would almost always prefer to be told the truth, e.g. if I had an incurable illness (I've seen my grandmother being lied to about her prognosis and it felt so disrespectful) or if I messed up something.

    The only exception I could come up with is if it's like in a workplace meeting a question of "what do you think?" and the true answer would be like "that you're a bloody idiot" or "sorry I was just thinking of how hard I'm gonna fuck my partner tonight" or similar 😂

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 1 month ago

    The only exception I could come up with is if it’s like in a workplace meeting a question of “what do you think?” ...

    Lying would still be a bit pointless as you could also just say that you wish not to tell.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago

    The only exception I could come up with is if it’s like in a workplace meeting a question of “what do you think?” and the true answer would be like “that you’re a bloody idiot” or “sorry I was just thinking of how hard I’m gonna fuck my partner tonight” or similar 😂

    "I don't agree" and "Sorry, I was thinking of something else" are perfectly fine and not lies.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    I am a realist and (at least in intent) stoic, I prefer the truth.

    The earlier comment about not wanting to know if you can’t do anything about it (sister’s dog is sick/died), I would prefer the truth, but I’m not going to let something I have no control over affect my presence.

    To be honest, I don’t think anyone can be truly stoic (think Spock from Star Trek) 100% of the time, it works with fictional characters, but “I control y emotional response” is always more of a goal than the reality.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago

    To be honest, I don’t think anyone can be truly stoic (think Spock from Star Trek) 100% of the time, it works with fictional characters, but “I control y emotional response” is always more of a goal than the reality.

    That's the problem. I'd love to be able to control my emotions to that degree, but I know myself and I'm more the kind of person to have sleepless nights over the most pointless things.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago

    Being optimistic or pessimistic are ways of lying to our own selves.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Lie about the little things that don't really matter. Forgot to do something but it shouldn't take long? Tell me you're just getting around to it or just got it done. Did I ask you to grab something but you didn't look? Tell me you couldn't find it.

    These are inconsequential lies that don't hurt and doesn't invent a reality that has to be remembered. There is such a thing as too much honesty

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago

    None of course. What’s wrong with you?

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago

    Sexual performance.

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  • When it's irrelevant with regards to external reality, has no negative consequences, and it's done for the sake of my peace of mind/happiness. Lying has a time and a place, it's just a very very small one.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Afterlife as a child. Lie to me a day about that. You can either tell me that when dogs get very poorly they go to a farm far far away and they're happy, or you can tell me they're wormfood.

    Give me the lie.

    I'm not hearing it now that im an adult. Nobody knows so pick your favourite flavour of bollocks, but as a child, give me that sweet bullshit.

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