Friday, January 30, 2009

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Isn't it funny how we are told over and over that we should be honest, but we are taught as a society to lie?

For example:
Person 1,"Hi, how are you?"
Person 2,"Good, how are you?"
Person 1,"Good."

How often is that true? More often than not it isn't true. We are expected to be honest, but in order to be kind, a lot of the time we have to lie. No one wants to hear, "I'm not doing very well because I just got dumped and I hate school and I'd really rather stay in bed and die today," in response to a greeting that is simply said out of courtesy and repetition. No wonder why we have such a confused society. No one knows how to act because no matter what we do it conflicts with something else we're supposed to do, or should do. Be nice, or be honest; be on time to school and/or work, or spend a few more minutes with your family at breakfast... We're forced to lie every day because let's face it people, NO ONE is good all of the time. I want to know why the world has become so complicated. We've complicated everything. Dating is more complicated. We have to pretend like we don't like someone we're dating as much as we really do, as they pretend not to like us so we don't scare each other off. What is that? It's a wonder anyone ever ends up together. Having friends is more complicated. Simply having a conversation is more complicated. Guess what?! There is NO such thing as politically correct! No matter WHAT you say someone is going to get offended. Why can't we just be honest about how we feel? I think if we were we might actually be able to say we're good more often, and truthfully without having to fear people thinking we're rude, because we'd have a lot less weighing on our conscience. Or, you know what? Don't ask someone how they are if you don't care enough to listen to the real answer!

3 comments:

Orrin Jelo said...

Unfortunately, this is a pet peeve I feel I'm being forced into. Actually, what really bugs me is in the US, someone can say "What's up?" and actually not mean "What is up in your life?" Hence I respond with something like "the roof," or in response to "How's it going?" I reply "It's going."

(By the way, I think it's time to change your theme. :) )

Reggie said...

I totally changed my theme before I saw your comment :)

Neil Hiatt said...

Ha Ha, so true.