Ozzie,

You bring up a very good question and I agree that depends entirely on the situation. I really try to avoid lying at all costs, I’m not good at it and my memory sucks. I have a hard enough time remembering what actually happened let alone something that was made up on the fly.

This has caused me some problems through the years with family and friends. If someone asks me if this dress looks nice, if I don’t think it does, I’ll avoid the question, but when I’m pinned down, I’ll try to find SOMETHING, ANYTHING positive to say. If there’s nothing then I really have to say “no, it really doesn’t”. People thought that I was being mean and hurtful.

Now they realize, if they ask for my opinion they’re going to get it. I don’t volunteer the information.

I understand your friend being upset. I’ve always told my kids the worst thing you can ever do is lie. I’d rather know that you’ve done something horrible and hear it from your lips then find out some other way. I’ll stand up for you no matter what. If you discover that you’ve been lied to, it puts everything in question.