Relationship Tips
12 Things You Should Never
Lie About
In many cases, these untruths are harmless. But
what about those things you should always tell
the truth about, lest you hurt both yourself and
the person you're deceiving?
From thanking your grandmother profusely for an
awkward gift to telling a work friend that her
less-than-sparkling presentation was fantastic,
most of us fib, stretch the truth, tell white lies
and omit facts from time to time. In fact,
studies » published over the past five years
have shown that the average person l ies one to
three times a day » .
In many cases, these untruths are harmless. But
what about those things you should always tell
the truth about, lest you hurt both yourself and
the person you're deceiving?
Here are 12 topics we think fall under the
heading "never lie about this." Next time you're
tempted to twist the truth about any of the
following, tune into your conscience, or at least
your self interest, and tell the truth instead.
You'll thank yourself later.
1. Having an orgasm: It's tempting to fake it,
and not terribly difficult. But if you don't
admit when what your partner is doing isn't
working, how will he or she ever figure out
what does?
2. Feeling sick at work: Just go home and get
the rest you need so that you can heal
properly and be productive again sooner.
Plus, no one likes the co-worker who starts
an epidemic.
3. Your physical appearance ... when you're
dating online: People presumably fib about
their height and weight all the time, and
honestly, who cares? When it comes to
creating an online dating profile, however, you
really should leave the embellishments out. If
someone is going to reject you based on a
superficial characteristic, better they do it
anonymously than in person. Someone who
meets you and discovers you've lied about
your looks may, understandably, wonder what
else you would lie about. Also, don't you
want to find someone who is attracted to you
just the way you are?
4. Whether you think a relationship has a
future: Don't lead someone else (or yourself)
on. When something isn't working you
probably know it. Admit it and move on for
both parties' sakes.
5. Your mental health: Your anxiety or
depression or OCD tendencies aren't going to
fix themselves, especially if you can't even
admit to yourself that they exist. Everyone
has their issues -- acknowledge and deal
with yours now.
6. What you need from another person: Whether
it be a romantic relationship or a platonic
one, don't lie to yourself or to someone else
about your needs. If you need someone to
prioritize you more or call you less, just say it
out loud. Settling for what you don't want
doesn't do anyone any favours.
7. Your credentials: Learn how to sell yourself
properly when you're applying to jobs or
discussing your work experience, but don't
make up skills you don't have. Your
experience, personality and drive will speak
for themselves.
8. A mistake you made at work: Own up, own
up, own up. If you claim that it didn't happen
or, worse, blame it on someone else, it will
come back to bite you. When it does, you'll
look 10 times worse than if you had just
taken responsibility, done what you could to
fix it and learned from it.
9. Anything you tell your doctor (especially
your OB-GYN): Your gynecologist isn't going
to judge your sexual predilections or the time
(or two) you forgot to use protection.
Medical professionals need accurate,
comprehensive information about the state of
your health in order to accurately diagnose
and treat you.
0. Any information the government requests:
This one should be obvious, but we'll say it
anyway. The people who receive and process
your documents probably won't judge you for
your weight or tax write-offs or the time you
got arrested when you were 20. Even if they
will, you MUST tell the truth. If you get
caught lying to the government, there could
be some pretty major consequences. Not
worth it.
1. Anything you say to your lawyer: Be upfront
with your attorney the way you should be
with your doctor. Any lawyer you hire is
working to protect your financial interests
and/or keep you out of legal hot water. He or
she can't do that if you haven't disclosed all
relevant information.
2. Not loving someone: Don't say you're in love
with another person when you don't mean it.
It's cowardly and cruel. Just don't do it.
