Liar, Liar Pants On Fire

Eight Annoying Lies You Need To Stop Telling

There are the lies that we tell to spare someone else's feelings and then there are the lies we tell to dodge responsibility, avoid embarrassment and assuage our own guilt. Together, these may seem like valid enough reasons for fibbing, except for one thing: Everyone knows you're full of it. Here, the eight obviously false tales you need to stop telling.By Naomi Chrisoulakis

ava Jilt

You bump into an acquaintance you haven't seen in ages, and as you're saying goodbye, those words just slip out: "Let's get a coffee soon!" Unless you really plan on making good on the coffee date, skip the social nicety in favor of something more sincere (like, "It was so great running into you") and leave it at that.

Excuses, Excuses

So what happens when you see that person you promised to call and make plans with? The easy out: "I'm so sorry we haven't connected—work has been insane." The work excuse is fine if you use it once, but a second time? Then it's insulting.

Email Evasion

Your colleague has sent yet another annoying email filled with boring requests, and you've decided to let it sit there—indefinitely. But when they ask if you got the email and had a chance to read it over? "My email has been really wonky all morning." Okay, it buys you some time, but they'll probably see straight through you. Instead, try telling them that it's on your to-do list

Calling You Out

Your sister-in-law's name flashes up on your phone, but you really can't be bothered dealing with her latest drama. Thank you, voicemail! So what do you say when you see her that weekend? "Sorry I missed your call—I was in an appointment and then life just got crazy." (Or something to that effect.) Unless it's true, try a simple "sorry" and schedule a time to talk.

Food Fibs

You hate cilantro. Mushrooms give you the creeps. So you tell people you're allergic, because it's just easier. The problem with that? No one believes you. Wouldn't you rather be honest and have others think that you're a little quirky (for the mushroom thing) rather than lie and have them think you're a fake?

Late Charge

Your partner's on the phone for the third time to ask when you'll be home: "I'm leaving in just a few minutes!" you say, knowing that you've got at least 20 minutes worth of work to go. While there's no easy way to appease someone who's made you a dinner that's going cold, it's far better to be honest than have them waiting at the table for you, furious, when you get home.

Sick of It

You don't know why you accepted that invitation to the movies when you don't even like going to the cinema, and now it's the last thing you feel like doing. So if you find yourself sending an "I'm sick" text to your friend, you might need to learn how to say no to requests in the first place. Otherwise, you can only use that get-out-of-jail card once before you start damaging the friendship.

Mixed Messages

There are the texts and Facebook messages that we're overjoyed to receive, then there are those we can’t be bothered replying to. The people who send those forgettable Facebook messages will probably ask if you got them. "I never got it!" is never really a valid excuse. A simple "Sorry!" or even just admitting you completely forgot to reply is far more believable.