fiddle2 entry

Date: 2002-01-26 18:20:00 (Author: trav)
Link: http://travis.kroh.net/archives/000040.php

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Here's something that's come up a bit in the last few days, and I'm curious how other people feel about it:
When I tell you that I like your shirt, it's because I like your shirt. I will never say that I like your shirt or your haircut simply because I know you just got it. This has the possibility of getting me into trouble, however. If someone gets a new shirt, and I fail to say I like it, this is almost always followed by the explicit "do you like my new shirt?" question.

• Option A: Lie. Say that I like your new shirt, even though it's got a blaze orange background, with green penguins and pumpernickel on it.
• Option B: Tell the truth. Say that blaze orange should not be worn outside of deer hunting, penguins should not be green, and pumpernickel is not meant as a decorative design.

I usually go for option B, because that way, when I tell you something, you know it's the truth. You know that I say it because I mean it, not because I'm expected to say it. Some people, however, just want someone to agree with them. Even if it's a lie. For example, I've requested that Nic tell me that she loves Kenickie, even if she doesn't; for the most part, however, if I ask a question, I want a straight answer.

So, the question is: is it better to lie for the sake of making someone feel good, or to tell the truth to preserve the integrity of my future compliments? Tell me.
And I don't hand out "I love you"s like children give out valentines...
     - Brooks West, "The Sound of Your Voice"
[James Taylor & Carly Simon - Mockingbird.mp3]