A Little Perspective

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Is Honesty Really the Best Policy?

Ever since I was young, I have had this cliche phrase repeated to me over and over again. I have generally accepted it as truth, and therefore live my life by the mantra that being honest with people is simply the best thing to do. But lately I've begun to question this "truth", and I find my code of ethics being called into question. For starters, I've recently taken to pranking my friends over the past 8 months and found myself staring people in the face and straight up lying. The first time I did it I thought I would be struck dumb, and I could feel my insides twisting in revulsion. But the more you lie, the less you feel it. And I'll be honest, the pranks were definitely fun and entertaining. Secondly, I have found that my sometimes brutal honesty has given offense to some. I was recently asked by a friend how he could, and I quote "get girls to like him." Oh brother, if only I had the nerve to tell him the whole truth. But I did proceed to tell him what girls like in general, and his current behavior was a little less than adequate. Of course no one likes to hear their flaws, and I've noticed a little frost in the friendship as of late because hey, the truth hurts. So now I'm left wondering if my personal mantra has led me astray all these years... Maybe lying can be fun, entertaining, and even less hurtful?

3 Comments:

Blogger Kellie said...

I anti vote. I love that you tell the truth! You're the one person I can count on for that, even if it isn't always what I want to hear. :)

April 27, 2010 at 11:55 AM  
Blogger Julie T said...

Honesty is the best policy! However, we all need to learn how to use filters so that valuable (helpful) information can be expressed in a kind way and yet still encourage results. It's one of my biggest challenges. I'm so excited about your mission call! And no more tests for over 18 months! Well, take that back...your tests will just come in different forms! Btw, honest John, were you the one who hid Scott's glasses and pulled a huge prank on Stefanie last year? I will go to my grave wondering about that one! Vaya con Dios! Mom

April 29, 2010 at 11:09 AM  
Blogger Elyse Marie said...

Julie, I would just like to proclaim my innocence on the lost glasses fiasco. Besides, that wouldn't have been very funny, poor Stefanie almost lost her mind looking for those! I have yet to pull a good one on her aside from tipping her over on the water weenie at Powell last year. Now THAT was funny. :-)

April 30, 2010 at 11:59 AM  

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