When is lying acceptable?

Question

Thanks.

Answer 1

never

Answer 2

The occasional "white lie" is OK.

Answer 3

To not hurt a person's feelings.  If you can speak the truth in a round about way that would be good.   In most cases the truth is always best.

Answer 4

It depends on the situation.

I lie to salespeople, cold callers etc.. as it gets them off my back.

I use false details when signing up to most websites to reduce the risk of ID fraud.

Answer 5

Ideally, Never.

In practice, (very remotely) possibly when it may do more genuine Good then harm;

Not including to "cover your but" so to speak, more in the sense of being Compassionate toward others, or in an extreme circumstance to save a Life.

However, I find if I do my best to go about finding a tactful way of being Honest, I most often accomplish it.

Although to be Honest, I'd be lying if I said, "I've Never lied".

Answer 6

When the person you are dealing with is a deceitful and intellectually dishonest creep who doesn't deserve the truth or your honest opinion.  When the person has a gun to your head and you know that answering truthfully will get you killed.

When the person fishing for complements and they really are not interested in hearing the truth.  Like:  "Does this dress make me look fat?"  

WRONG:  Yes, it makes you look like a whale.

RIGHT:  Of course not.  You're lovely no matter what you put on.

Like:  Isn't my new child cute?

WRONG:  No.  It looks just like you, what a shame but maybe you'll have better luck with the next one.  

RIGHT:   Adorable.  She's going to look just like you.

Answer 7

When you feel that you have lied to give genius help to someone.

Answer 8

In my opinion, never.  It doesn't matter how benign the lie seems to be.  I would rather know the truth.

Answer 9

The answer should be never....however, I find that it's okay to alter the truth if it would save a person from hurt. But as we both know, the truth hurts. It's always best to be honest...lies can haunt you..

Answer 10

Several occasions, ranging from the silly to the serious.

1) Taking someone to their surprise birthday party.

"Where are we going?"

"...Er, to... the park..."

"Why?"

"To play... soccer..."

2) When you need to return an item to a store and their return policy is retarded.

3) If someone is holding you hostage, it's generally a good idea to be agreeable towards them. Which means if they ask whether you think x political figure is right/wrong/purple, you say what they want to hear, even if they're more of a pinkish red.

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Seriously though, I don't think lying to save someone's feelings is ever a good call. For example, if I were shopping with my boyfriend and I asked him his opinion on a dress I was trying on, and he thought it made me look fat or whatever, and he didn't tell me, I would be pretty annoyed. I don't want to be told that I look good when I don't, because then the compliment becomes meaningless. If I know he'll tell me when I look dumb, when he tells me I look great I know he really means it, rather than is just telling me what I want to hear.

And I don't think lying to save someone's feelings is right in a situation where someone you don't really like asks you to an event or whatever. For example: Guy asks girl out. Girl says "I'm really sorry, I can't, I have to study/whatever, maybe another time," when she in fact has no intention of ever going anywhere with Guy. It would be more fair to just set it to him straight.

Answer 11

honestly never!! under no circumstances i mean you hear people using the expression "i only lied to u to protect u" what so thats meant to make it all better and alright its not going to!! or the best one ive heard is "i didnt lie to u,,u never asked so i never told and thats no lying!!" like h**l it isnt i mean come on you have trust in someone and they dont tell you thee truth its stupid and pathetic so no lying is never acceptable cause lying doesnt protect no-one it just makes them angry and upset when they eventually find out.

Answer 12

When it does more good than harm.

Answer 13

1. when youre shopping with your best friend and she tries on a pair of pants that make her *** look like two bowling balls in a pillow case, and she asks how she looks.

2. when you had a huge assignment due and just as you were cramming for it on the day before it was due, your boyfriend dumps you and you rip up your assignment in anger and you tell your teacher a burglar broke in and read your assignment and tore it up because it was so awful.

3. when your life is at risk!

(i explored this theme while studying the crucible, i recommend it if you would like to study your question to a deeper meaning)

Answer 14

I think the only time lying is acceptable is when it is told to protect someones feelings.

Honesty is really important to me, so rather than lie to protect someones feelings, I'll usually just be vague or not say anything at all.  If you are adept at the art of diplomacy, though, you can find a way to tell the horrid truth and have it come out sounding like a sugar-coated compliment!