Tertia recently did this post on lying to your children.
And it got me thinking about lying and liars and people that cheat.
I am a terrible liar. Mostly because I’m incredibly lazy. I couldn’t be asked to remember what I said from one day to the next, so I try and stick to the truth as far as possible, as twisting the truth is just too much hard work.
When I was in Grade 7, in the century before this one, I bunked a class one day. Just to see what it was like. Firstly it was really boring and secondly I got caught.
I made up for not bunking at school in a large way during my 2 year sabbatical from studying at Varsity. I think I bunked more classes than I actually attended. Hence my lack of qualification. But I never had to lie to anyone about where I was. I only lied about how all that red wine got on my clothes. And I never hardly ever inhaled.
I’m also not talking about earth shattering stuff like embezzling gazillions or cheating on my husband. I’m talking about that little lie that saves you face or gets you something. When you get something because you weren’t entirely honest about getting it, doesn’t it take some of the joy of having It away? No?
Am I being vague and obtuse? Probably.
Are you reading this and feeling vaguely uncomfortable? Good, then my work here is done.
me too – a dreadful liar. The only one I managed to carry was the Father Xmas, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy ones.
But then I guess there are times where we lie by omission however it’s in their best interests sometimes.
It’s a tough call finding the balance with them with some situations.
Somewhere I read a quote – I think it was Coelho (spelling?) – It is better to tell the truth and make someone cry, than to lie and make them smile. Which I think is a load of cobblers!!! I’m afraid I was taught to lie because the punishment I received as a child was so harsh, that we did and said anything to avoid it. I have tried to get out of the habit as an adult tho…
Maybe I’m a bad liar cos I’m too lazy to remember the story I’ve spun! But I also go very red when I tell a lie! So I just don’t do it.
When it comes to the kids, little white lies like ‘Barney is sleeping’ after watching for the 10th time, are acceptable! (And I wouldn’t feel guilty saying the shop is closed at 5 to 5 either).
I NEVER bunked from school, cos I knew I’d get caught, but also did the wild, rebel-child thing at res! I think my folks transferred money for a new textbook every week. Wonder why they never asked where all those textbooks were?
The fridge magnet on my fridge says “If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything”
Good thing really as my memory is shot these days…..what were we talking about? 😀 xx
Father Xmas, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy doesn’t count as lies. They are classified under ‘parental obligation’ 🙂
I don’t really know what to say.
My first instinct is to say something to make you feel better, but then I would be lying 🙂
Were we not sisters in a previous life?
LOL!
I used to bunk athletics practices on occasion and hide in the library, but I never got caught because I suspect the teacher was relieved when I wasn’t there.
I often wonder the same thing 😀
Ha ha ha I like it! I also think it is too much fuss to lie and remember all. Love how you describe the Varsity years, sound just like mine, outcome and all!! OF course the odd lie slips through the cracks!
lol
A lie shows on my face immediately even the smallest of ones so I don’t lie even if it gets me into trouble which rarely happens now but when I was younger gosh!!!! Cool post 🙂
LOL! I am hopeless at lying but sometimes skirting the truth is neccessary – like why you never answered a call or retunred a sms from someone you just weren’t up to dealing with right that minute.
I think it would be wrong of me to be against “white” lies. After all, I don’t want my hubbie to be honest if the answer is, “yes, you do look fat in those jeans.” But then again, he’ll also have to somehow keep me from leaving the house in them…
I’m actually a bit uncertain about the Easter Bunny and Father Christmas. But I also don’t want to be the one whose kid anounces to all his little friends, “My mommy says they’re not real!”
It’s hard being a parent.
Lies, damned lies and statistics! What do you make of that?
LOL!