Truth or Lie?

Some women (and perhaps some men, although I only have the female perspective) possess a little-known, but extraordinary skill they use without thinking.   They have mastered such a level of sophistication that ordinary mortals often do not recognize when it’s employed.  Many significant others, logical as they are, often appear unaware of this invisible yet effective super power.

No, not everyone can wiggle their way out of a potentially dangerous encounter.  Some females, however, seem to have a natural propensity for not quite explaining everything.  They tell the truth, but they don’t tell it all.  These women subscribe to the theory that it’s best not to divulge what someone doesn’t need to know.  No, this is not a “half lie.”  I prefer to call this more aptly, “stretching the truth.”

“Honey, is that new?” 

 

“No, dear, I’ve had this dress for awhile.”  She’s not lying. It’s been in the closet for a month and a half.  She has, therefore, had the dress for awhile; she just hasn’t worn it.  She’s telling the truth, but not telling more than she needs.  She is “stretching the truth.”

Her husband, if he is concerned, will not be upset about her spending what he perceives as unnecessary money on more clothes.  There will be no disgruntlement. There will be no grievance about finances.  All will be pleasant, and he will probably even say, “You look good in it, Honey.”

Stretching the truth also can prevent hurt feelings in many instances.   If a friend wears an outfit that no one but a gorilla at a zoo, or someone choosing a costume for Halloween would wear, the friend might ask, “Do you like this?”

Even though I am an honest person, if I know someone is uber sensitive, I might temper my reply by utilizing a little tact and “stretching the truth” by saying, “It’s certainly different.  I don’t think anyone else will have an outfit like that.” 

 

I’m not lying.  It is different. Hideously different.  I just don’t want to say, “It’s so different, no one in their right mind would wear that,” or, “It looks like someone beat that outfit with an ugly stick.”  "Stretching the truth" can certainly make life more pleasant.

 When my sister-in-law called to interrogate me about who put the “Happy 40^th Birthday” signs all over her front lawn, she asked, “Did you do it?”  I laughed and replied honestly, “No, I did not put the signs in your yard.” 

 

I told the truth.  I just didn’t tell everything.  I had my husband, at the time, go down in the cover of darkness, and plant the signs I had purchased, in her yard for me.  If she would have asked if I knew who planted the signs, I would have had no other choice but to say, “Yes.”

 

“Stretching the truth” certainly can make life more enjoyable for everyone, as well as help prevent hassles.  “Stretching the truth” can also be considered a form of tact which provides a morally right alternative for that urge to lie when backed into a corner, with unpleasantness or hurt feelings ready to pounce.  This is, indeed, the truth.