Everyday Fibs
Ever told someone their hair looked good even when it didn't? Or that their dish was delicious even though it made you wish you didn't have taste buds? Or that they're super funny, even when you're sure your dog could tell better jokes? Don't worry—we've all been there. After all, we tell these little fibs to protect other people's feelings. So, are you a chronic white liar? How many of these 20 common white lies have you said to your friends, family, or strangers?
1. "I Love Your Hair"
When your friend has a bad hair day or a bad session with their hairstylist but they think differently, you obviously don't want to be the person who ruins the party. So, what do you say? "No, I love your hair—it suits you so well! Your hairstylist did a great job." Anything to make your friend feel good.
2. "I'm Fine"
This is probably the most common white lie everyone tells each other every day. Of course, you're not really fine (minus the two days in a month you actually are), but you don't want to burden people with your sob story, so you take the easy route and say you are.
3. "I Forgot to Reply"
No, you didn't "lose your phone." No, your phone didn't suddenly "run out of battery" for 48 hours. No, you didn't just "forget to reply." In truth? You just didn't want to respond, whether because you don't enjoy messaging that person (and thought they'd get the hint and leave you alone) or because you're not entirely sure what to say to them.
4. "I'm On My Way"
...you say as you type the message from your bed, after having just woken up. Most of the time, we'll throw out this fib because we don't want to be subject to the wrath of the other person if they find out we're not actually ready and on our way.
5. "No, You Look Fine in That"
Some things don't suit everyone, and that's okay—but we also don't want to be the person to tell the cold, harsh truth. So, if your friend wants to wear neon yellow with a candy-cane striped shirt or those jeans that don't really flatter their figure, hey, by all means, go for it.
6. "You Don't Need to Go to the Gym!"
All sizes are beautiful, and most people head to the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine, but we still don't want to be the one to tell someone, "Yeah, you need to go to the gym." What do we say instead so our words don't get misinterpreted? "You don't need to go to the gym at all—you look fine!"
7. "No, I Understand"
No, you don't really understand what the other person is saying, or why they feel the way they do, but for the sake of simplicity, you'll tell this white lie any day. Oh, of course you understand; in fact, you know exactly what they mean, and you definitely don't need them to repeat it again.
8. "I'd Be Happy To"
It's 4:50PM and you have 10 minutes before you clock out, but when an important client calls you to ask if you have time to do them a quick favor, what else can you say but "I'd be happy to"? You have to maintain good relations, after all, so this white lie is one you're probably repeating countless times throughout your workday.
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9. "It's Okay, You Can Have It"
The last piece of chocolate? The last chicken wing? The last slice of pizza? It's okay, you can have it. Well, technically, you had your eye on it since 10 minutes ago and were wondering when would be the best time to nab it, but now that someone else wants it, you don't want to look greedy. So.
10. "I Have Plans"
You don't really have plans, but you also don't have another excuse to use off the bat, so if anyone asks, yes, you've already got things lined up. Sure, maybe those "plans" just consist of catching up on your favorite TV show while you sit back and sip wine, but you're not telling anyone those details.
11. "I'm Busy on the Weekend"
If it's not "I have plans," it's "no, I'm busy on the weekend." Again, you're not really busy—you'll just be sleeping in and then binging on your favorite Netflix series—but no one needs to know that. Everyone needs some time for themselves sometimes, right?
12. "You're So Funny"
You've technically heard that joke your coworker told a million and one times by now, but just so they don't feel bad, you'll laugh like it's the first time you heard it. You're also pretty sure your three-year-old niece is funnier than them, but it's okay, you'll happily tell the fib.
13. "Your Partner Is Great"
If you were to be honest, you think your friend can do way better than whoever they're currently in a relationship with, but you don't want to be that person, and your friend really likes them, so you'll tell them a white lie. "Your partner is great—way better than your previous ones!" you say through a forced laugh.
14. "It's My Treat, Have More!"
You don't get paid until Friday, you still have numerous bills to pay off, and you've barely eaten the entire evening—but sure, another round of drinks for everyone! If you blink really hard, maybe it'll turn out that it's all just a dream and you're not actually treating your coworkers to expensive barbecue.
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15. "It Tastes Delicious"
You're not sure if what you're putting in your mouth is supposed to be a sponge cake or the back of someone's shoe, but it's your partner's first time baking, so of course you're going to tell them it's delicious. You just need 50 cups of water and soda to wash the taste down, but it's not that bad.
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16. "We Can Do Whatever You Want"
There are things you want to do too, but to keep your friends happy, you'll go along with whatever they suggest. Hiking at 5AM? Sure! Camping in the forest where there could be bears? That sounds fun! Eating sushi for dinner when you're not fond of raw fish? That's okay! (No, it's really not.)
17. "Sure, I Can Pick You Up"
Your friend lives on the other side of town and the restaurant you're going to is 10 minutes from your place, but sure, you can pop over and pick them up. It'll cost you more gas than you'd like, but you're a good friend, so you'll suck it up even if you don't really want to.
18. "I Love Hanging Out with You"
Actually, you'd rather be anywhere else, but you're going to tell your colleague-turned-acquaintance-turned-semi-friend that. It's not that they're boring to spend time with, but just that you'd rather be hanging out with your actual friends who you feel more comfortable around.
19. "You're an Amazing Artist"
Some people aren't great at drawing, and that's okay. Not everyone is a born artist. But again, you don't want to be a jerk and be that person, so of course you're going to say the opposite and tell this common white lie. It's not like you're all that confident you could do better, anyway.
20. "You're Literally So Talented"
A step up from telling someone they're amazing at something is telling them they're "literally so talented" at everything they do. Sure, they might actually be pretty horrible, but you're not going to be the one to ruin someone's fun.
