Liar liar pants on fire
May 30th 2007
RachelGOn Writing!
This is Jack in his jeans. No, jack does not like wearing his jeans, although he doesn’t seem to mind his fishing shirt or his rain poncho. I imagine it might be because he thinks the jeans make his butt look big. They do, but I would never tell him. When he gives me that questioning look, I lie and tell him he looks skinny.
In fact, I tell a lot of little white lies. I had a friend once who bought a hideous green dress with beads all over the top and had some sort of floaty chiffon skirt. It reminded me of one of those dresses you see in little girl beauty pageants, only in an adult size 16. We were going to an awards event, not a pageant. When she asked me how she looked, I pasted a smile on my face and told her she looked great. I figured hey, she liked it enough to buy it. At some point she had to have looked at herself in the mirror, and she must have thought she looked wonderful. Why tell her the dress aged her about 150 years? Not to mention the shoes. They were hideous too, but of course I told her they were “great.” But what I was really thinking was, “How can a person walk into a shoe department filled with tons of beautiful shoes and leave with the ugliest pair? How is that even possible?”
I’ve lied to a friend about her hair, too. I told her her new hair cut looked super when it was really heinous. I’m talking very bad perm. I lied because what was she going to do? The only thing she could do to make it better was shave her head and I don’t think it would have been much of an improvement.
I lie a lot at dinner parties too. Just because a person can cook, does not mean they should. I’ve choked down some of the most horrid food while saying, “Wow, that’s tasty.” My mother’s spaghetti comes to mind. Although growing up, I might have mentioned that it was the worst spaghetti in recorded history. My sister’s potato salad sucks, and my sister-in-law . . . there just isn’t time to go into how much she sucks at cooking.
How about you? Do you tell the truth or are you a liar liar pants on fire? What was your biggest white lie?
41 Comments »
41 Responses to “Liar liar pants on fire”
Brandy on 31 May 2007 at 1:21 am #
Oookay, thank goodness my MIL isn’t computer proficient. I tell white lies to the Outlaws, um ’scuse me, Inlaws all the time. Not outright mean things, but things designed to keep me sane. Like if they want to come for a visit, but I’m not in the mood. Or if they invite us over for dinner and we don’t want to go. Sounds awful right? In my defense my InLaws are the most controlling, manipulative people I have ever met. Not in a mean way, but in a way that drives hubs and I batty. So, we tell a little white lie here or there. Other than that I try to be as honest as possible.
Stacy ~ on 31 May 2007 at 5:35 am #
Sad to say I’m a big fat liar. I know it’s wrong, and it’s probably worse than telling the truth, but when someone asks me how they look, even if their hair look like it ran through a blender or the tight blouse they are wearing looks hideous, I just can’t tell them that. I figure they just didn’t get ready in the dark - at least I hope so - so they have some idea how they look, right? On the other hand, if it were me, please say something! I don’t mind if someone says - “what the hell were you thinking?!” I’d want to know! *g*
The one thing I will do is mention it if someone has something stuck in their teeth or if they’ve got smeared eyeliner, etc. That at least is not any kind of a situation that will get me in trouble. Such a good friend I am, I know.
Keri Ford on 31 May 2007 at 5:35 am #
If I’m at the store with somebody and they’re trying on something and they think they look AMAZING, I’ll burst that bubble with the truth and tell them I’m not sure what the designer had in mind. If they’ve already bought it, I usually just say something like, it’s not my style but it looks good on you. I don’t overly flatter any clothes items unless I like it, because you never know…3 years down the road, said person might suggest you wear that ugly green dress because they remembered how great you said it looked.
I’ll choke down several different food items to be poliet. My sister’s chicken and dumplings come to mind. Ugh. I’m not exactly sure what that unique flavor is in there cause dumplings are sooo easy to make with very few ingred.
Susan K on 31 May 2007 at 7:47 am #
I try to always tell the truth but I am also the person who does not want to hurt anyones feelings. I try to stick to the truth as much as possible but not hurt the person. I also have a tendency to exaggerate just a bit.
Rachel G, is Jack your dog? He’s adorable! I love dogs!
Sherri Erwin on 31 May 2007 at 8:38 am #
I’m frightfully honest and it can be a real problem. Okay, I lied. I am honest with my very good friends who rely on my judgment, because if your friends don’t say “honey, you’ve had a little much to drink,” who will? But I do occasionally offer false encouragement to mild acquaintances. As in, “I’m so sorry your book tanked. It was that hideous cover!” But I’m not lying when I say I adore Jack in jeans! My pug, Drake, is lacking Jack’s fashion sense.
Cail on 31 May 2007 at 8:48 am #
white lies are great, but honesty is usually appreciated when done nicely. when i ask for an opinion i want an honest answer, and will usually give other people them. however, if i don’t have something nice to say about something that can’t be undone, i try to keep my mouth shut. the mustard yellow 80’s style prom dress bridesmaid dresses just really aren’t your friends choice to wear, so it’s best to not make them feel worse than they do about it.
in the dressing room, thats another story. my favorite shopping buddy is my 85 yr old grandma (who has excellent taste in clothing!) and i know that if the pants make my butt look big, she will state it out loud (and prob for the entire dressing room to hear!) stopping a fashion disaster before it hits the road is everyones duty as a friend. if its just not your style, but looks decent and they love it, make it clear that it works for them. just my $0.02.
Karen Hawkins on 31 May 2007 at 9:19 am #
Rachel, I could see all of those fashion disasters mounting up around you while you nod and smile and say, “Ah, no. That really does look quite … uh, wonderful.”
I trust my good friends not to lie to me, but I also try not to put them in a difficult position by asking them “How does this look?” as I’m walking out the door, pink chiffon drifting about my huge arse, my hair twisted up in a French Elbow Knot and pinned with silver butterflies.
However, all good friends know that honesty is a necessity in the dressing room, otherwise, why take another person?
As for other white lies . . . yes. Sometimes, it’s better to swallow my own opinion than to choke someone else with it. Or so I was taught by my uber Southern mother.
RachelG on 31 May 2007 at 9:25 am #
Jack is my daughter’s pug. I watch him during the day while she’s at school. He is so darn cute, I kiss him all day. He is also so full of energy, he wears my other dogs out.
If I am shopping with someone, I will give my opinion in a very diplomatic way. But once the deed it done, I can’t bring myself to hurt anyone’s feelings and tell them the truth. Cowardly maybe, but there you go.
Sabrina Jeffries on 31 May 2007 at 9:34 am #
I never lie.
Oops, just did.
Julia London on 31 May 2007 at 9:35 am #
There is something just not right about a dog in jeans. And that is no lie.
No one ever asks me my opinion about what they are wearing, but there have been a couple of times through the years I wanted to offer it. I didn’t, because what is the point? A, who cares what I think and b, if they like it, that’s wonderful.
Terry Stone on 31 May 2007 at 9:47 am #
White lies can be the saving factor of many a relationship. The time my sister was mistaken for being preggers, and she returned home and asked me what I thought, I said “NOOOO”, but the laughter kind of blew the answer apart. But I told her what she wanted to hear, and she still speaks to me.
Sometimes, I wish my husband would learn this trick. When I know I have a bad haircut and just want him to say ‘No, hon, it’s not the bad.’ it’s hard hearing, “Damn, at least I can wear a hat!” Yes, he did say that.
Clothing, I always try to be honest when asked, and sometimes wish people would ask SOMEONE before going in public. I live in a very small town in WV, there is too many overweight women in spandex in this town. That’s all I’m saying.
Keri Ford on 31 May 2007 at 10:00 am #
Julia, I’m with you on dogs wearing clothes. I’m not sure how potty breaks work, and don’t want to go there either. also, if I tried putting pants on a dog, I’d come out with scratches and bite marks from you know where.
KariE on 31 May 2007 at 10:01 am #
Hi. My name is Kari and I’m a liar. It mostly happens to people I’m not very close to or people who make me mad.
Like the time my larger than average friend had on a smaller than average shirt and asked my opinion. I said “I love you but no.” Case closed.
Most of my family and close friends know me well enough to know that I will be brutally honest with them when they ask my opinion. Over time I have found their reaction was “greatful”, for lack of a better word. They ask for an honest answer and I gave it. If they dont like it, too bad
RachelG on 31 May 2007 at 10:11 am #
When I look back at some of my fashion choices, I wish someone would have stopped me–anklets and stilettos comes to mind. Oh, and the zebra print dress wasn’t good for Easter Sunday. And one time, I left the beauty salon with a mullet because the girl cutting my hair loved it. When I got home, I handed my husband the scissors and made him cut the mullet off.
Dogs and clothes. I like dogs in clothes. It all started when I put a big t-shirt on one of my bigger dogs because he was shedding so dang much. It as a Tech-9 shirt and he looked very gangster.
Cail on 31 May 2007 at 10:30 am #
Terry I’m so with you on the spandex! I wish people knew what size they wear sometimes. It’s no fun walking down the street and seeing a woman with her love handles hanging out over her low rise jeans with her belly shirt a size too small, thinking she looks hot. Drives me (and my co-workers, friends etc) insane!
Rachel, your mullet story made me lol. I’m generally not a fan of those… although I know of a few websites devoted to mullets.
zambonigirl on 31 May 2007 at 10:39 am #
Mullets are the ultimate fashion statement.
No, not sure what that statement is, other than “I’m a redneck!”, but they’re a statement.
Everyone lies. Doctor House says that all the time, and I believe him. He wouldn’t lie about something so important.
An example of a lie: Everyone from Ottowa, I’m SO SORRY that the Senators lost to the Ducks last night. It must have been so HORRIBLE for you. Maybe you’ll get it together for Game 3, and come out on top. [/iamsoevilomg]
Keri Ford on 31 May 2007 at 10:47 am #
In the words of my MIL…”just cause they make it in that size, it doesn’t mean you should wear it.”
Terry Stone on 31 May 2007 at 11:06 am #
Keri Ford, I love that quote!!! Truer words were never spoken.
And have you noticed how older people don’t care what they say. That is my goal in life, to become one of those old people who don’t care what they say and are generally considered ‘eccentric’. But you listen to them, because they just call it like they see it.
And Cail, we have such an abundance of what you described here. I shudder. And then look down to make sure nothing is hanging out on me. I am so lucky to have a twelve year old daughter, who doesn’t care to tell me, “Mom, that looks awful!”
Kasey on 31 May 2007 at 11:13 am #
I usually try to be honest about clothes, but sometimes it depends on who I am talking to. There are some people that just take any comment the wrong way and I would prefer to avoid WW3. I also tell little lies to get out of doing things I don’t want to do. It sounds better than I don’t want to hang out with you tonight. I’m only do it in order to spare their feelings.
darkshire007 on 31 May 2007 at 11:28 am #
Yes, I have told friends that something looked great when in actuality it looked terrible. But how can I bring myself to wipe the joy off their face when they are really excited about the new look (clothes, hair, make-up style, shoes, etc). In my mind I can just see the kicked puppy look they would get if I told them how it really was. So, chicken that I am, I go with what they expect to hear….that it looks wonderful. Lucky for me most of my clothes are government issue, I don’t wear make-up and my hair is short. Can’t go wrong!
colinfirthfan on 31 May 2007 at 12:37 pm #
I try to be honest always but a few times I tell little white lies to my hubby.
E.g : He is always late. So if I am meeting him soemwhere then I will tell him I am 10 minutes closer than I really am.
I also sometimes tell him that the numerous books I buy are old (yes - 2 days old).
If my family asks me what I think of something they are wearing which I don’t like much I say - It’s OK. I prefer this other one.
Our friends re-modelled their house and I was telling them it is sooo nice, blah blah. My DH looked surprised - “you actually liked that?” - he whispered to me.
I shrugged and said - “It’s ok. Do you want me to tell them I think it’s OK?”
(he got a scornful look back for that)
I was happy that I was so convincing. (the re-modelling while not great was quite alright though. I liked some of it)
Julia London on 31 May 2007 at 1:04 pm #
WAIT A MINUTE RACHEL! Did the t-shirt work? Ohmigod — dog hair is a daily battle around here with two labs. I will put them in shirts if it will keep the hair contained.
amy1242 on 31 May 2007 at 1:16 pm #
Like my mom always said, “No one likes a Fibber McGee.” Still, you can’t not lie at some point. My only advice…lie kindly, unless someone you love needs a good kick in the pants, then spell it out if you have to. I can live with that, as it goes both ways.
By the way, I DID try clothes on my dog once. She gave us the “kicked puppy” look for sure. I’ll never do it again. Poor thing.
Anne A. on 31 May 2007 at 1:52 pm #
Wait, whats wrong with anklets and stilettos? Is that is fashion don’t? I do that all the time!!!!!!!!! *g*
Karen Hawkins on 31 May 2007 at 3:02 pm #
Julia, I don’t know about Pug Hair, but t-shirts would great on shedding LBDs (Large Brown Dogs). I have a friend who puts one on her dog for the same reason.
For me, it’s not the dog hair so much as it’s the cat hair. I wonder why my cat isn’t bald … is she GROWING the stuff or WHAT?
And Rachel, I’m with Anne. What’s wrong with anklets and stilettos???? Next you’ll be telling us that stretch pants are a Bad Thing.
Sheesh!
RachelG on 31 May 2007 at 4:19 pm #
Yep the t-shirt on the dog works. I usually do it when I am transporting the dog north for the week end or the car gets overwhelming with dog hair. Make sure to take the shirt off outside.
Heels and anklets. Well, it was a look in the 80’s. Not saying it was a good look. Stretch pants ARE a bad thing, especially since they don’t breath real well.
rachelg
Judy F on 31 May 2007 at 4:31 pm #
you guys are so funny. I try not to lie but sometimes I just can’t help it. I try to be honest with family and friends esp trying on clothes. I used to take my nieces with me when they were little. they will tell you flat out if something doesn’t look good.
zambonigirl on 31 May 2007 at 5:01 pm #
I think if your ankles are thin enough, an anklet looks lovely on it. The big thing right now is toe rings, though. I wouldn’t wear a toe ring with stillettos, but with a great pair of strappy sandals, heck yeah. But ankle straps and anklets are going to be huge this summer. They already are. I’m having a hard time finding sandals that don’t wrap around my ankles.
Spandex is only acceptable at the gym or at the pool.
ArkansasCyndi on 31 May 2007 at 5:46 pm #
I wish I was a better liar…in fact, I am the world’s worse. If you ever meet me and I lie to you, you will know it. One of my high school teachers told my mother that I show everything on my face. Is it because I’m a Sagittarius? Two of my good friends are Sags also…never can tell a lie worth a darn.
Sigh…any good lie teachers who can give me some lessons?
DebMarlowe on 31 May 2007 at 6:26 pm #
Jack is adorable! But I think he was lying if he told you he enjoys wearing jeans. Hee hee.
MJ on 31 May 2007 at 7:30 pm #
Ummm Is it lying if you say “Wow!” in a surprised, kind of pleased tone of voice…and they assume that you think it’s great? I do that quite a lot…. followed by a truish comment like “that’s such a pretty shade of green….I don’t think I’ve seen you wear that colour before….” that doesn’t commit me too far. That’s for acquaintances, folks who work for me, anyone who is not relying on my judgement to make decisions….
For close friends, I might actually follow the above with “Hmmm… I’m not sure I like you as well in that green as in the pink one you had on before…. that one really brought out your skin tone nicely.” If they ask me directly, I will answer with the entire truth, though - put as nicely as I can. And as an opinion - I’m not infallible in taste either….or at all, really. I’m no fashionista, I just know what I like. And maybe it’s more important to some people to go with a certain look that’s in at the moment, even if it isn’t really flattering to them.
catslady on 31 May 2007 at 7:54 pm #
I lie to - little while lies lol. I figure if it’s to save from hurting someone’s feelings it can’t be a bad thing. But I try to never overdo it - “that’s nice”, how interesting, oh you got a new… Never, isn’t that just absolutely gorgeous, it’s so good i’ll take seconds…etc.
catslady on 31 May 2007 at 7:55 pm #
I lie too - little while lies lol. I figure if it’s to save from hurting someone’s feelings it can’t be a bad thing. But I try to never overdo it - “that’s nice”, how interesting, oh you got a new… Never, isn’t that just absolutely gorgeous, it’s so good i’ll take seconds…etc.
catslady on 31 May 2007 at 7:55 pm #
oops, sorry - didn’t mean for it to go through twice when I fixed a typo.
Judy F on 31 May 2007 at 9:26 pm #
I don’t lie well to peoples faces esp if its a big lie. My old boss used to call me in her office for the scope cause she knew I couldn’t lie face to face.
My pat answer for if I don’t like something is. Oh that’s different. LOL
georgia_peach on 01 Jun 2007 at 3:00 pm #
Hey! I have a pug-i-licious! I am a truth-teller….and that’s not necessarily good thing.
I am the absolute worst liar ever so I quit trying. Friends and family know that if they ask….I will tell. Although I try not to be too blunt. So please please don’t ask me if you look fat in those jeans!!!
MizMacgyver on 01 Jun 2007 at 5:27 pm #
I tell white lies to save feelings unless we are talking major life decisions. As to my friends, they are all bald-faced liars or they are blind. I am opting for they are very good liars. I don’t go shopping with them.
Nicole Jordan on 02 Jun 2007 at 10:14 am #
I’m guilty of little white lies if it’ll spare people’s feelings…..
But I’m being honest when I say Jack is adorable, Rachel! Even though I do not like Pugs as a general rule. My M-I-L always had Pugs, and they snored like train engines, not to mention being smelly and shedding hair all over the place. But Jack looks like a dog I could love.
NicoleJ
TheNightPoet on 03 Jun 2007 at 9:53 pm #
I am usually honest and tell the truth. There are some times when I do tell white lies. My dad taught me well. lol My brother can’t tell a lie to save his life. lol He can’t keep a straight face when he’s trying to tell a lie. It’s pretty funny, b/c usually he starts laughing or tries to not show that he’s laughing. It’s pretty funny watching him laugh while he’s trying to tell a lie. lol
Andrea
Caren Crane on 04 Jun 2007 at 9:41 am #
I try hard to be as honest as possible. Most of my friends know I am a straight shooter. I try hard to be tactful, but will avoid outright lying whenever I can. I like going with people when they try on clothes, because I can help them not buy something they think is great when it is not quite right. Believe me, you can talk yourself into *any* outfit! Sometimes all they need is someone to point out that the shoulders don’t quite fit or the pleats aren’t flattering or the dress doesn’t fall right over their hips. It’s always the clothes’ fault, of course. *g*
cate on 04 Jun 2007 at 1:29 pm #
3 words of advice on shedding hair —
Dyson Pet Vacumn!!!!!