Why do humans seem to find it difficult to tell the truth and/or own up to reality? One of the most vivid lessons I remember as a kid was learning the difference between white lies...you know, those little fibs that the fibber doesn't think will create hard feelings...and full-on dishonesty. Is a white lie ok to tell if one believes it saves face for either themself or the person being lied to at the moment? I don't get it.
Going one step further: why is it hard to accept responsibility, ask forgiveness (when appropriate) and then move on? Why does it seem we are so inclined to "suck it up" when we are angry, hurt, whatever about something rather than to speak our minds which usually involves telling the truth? When was the last time you second-guessed speaking the truth because you thought it might cost you your job? A friendship? A sale? Offending a family member/friend? Sadly to say, it happened to me just today and I'll bet you are probably in the same boat with me....here's a paddle....enjoy the ride.
What is it about our society that feeds this phenomenon? Or, am I living in my own galaxy? Is this a uniquely American trait?
I would have to say that I tell a white lie to spare someone's feelings. I am not a robot you know, I care about that person and I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings, especially when not hurting their feelings takes so little effort.
ReplyDeleteWhich is going to make a better day for a person, "Why yes, it does look like you've lost weight." OR "No. You're just as fat as you were last week."
Who is it hurting...really?
It's a balance of picking your battles, in our professional as well as our personal lives.
ReplyDeleteWhy start, if in the end the snowball is bigger than you can throw?
I love this topic as it is something I think about alot. I think being kind is very different from being nice. We can be honest and kind rather than "nice" which sometimes means we are being dishonest to spare someone's feelings. I think being nice is for out sake rather than the other person's sake.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=2716
It's an American FLAW. Unfortunately people who do not accept responsibility I am starting to understand really can't handle the truth in which I totally agree we should be able to express and not watch our tongues.
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