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Despite the myth of white lie's innocence, honesty is always the best policy. The truth has an eerie and inherent way of coming out. It may take a week or two or even a year but the truth will resurface, intact and unharmed. The liar may have long since forgotten the details of their dirty little lie, but truth has an impeccable memory.

Lying has transitioned from a bad deed to an accepted form of communication, perhaps even an expected form of communication. We know we are going to be lied to. We know that when we buy something, the item inside is going to be much smaller than the picture on the box. We ask people how they are and we know they are going to say fine' or good'. When asked the same question, it is expected that we answer accordingly.

We worry when the lie is not obvious because while we have grown accustomed to trickery, surprise trickery is still off-limits. People will ask what the catch is in a deal and most of the time, there's an answer.

People lie to avoid hurting other's feelings, to avoid getting into trouble or out of habit. If someone asks for your opinion, offer it. You don't have to be cruel in order to be honest. If your friend doesn't look her best in tight jeans, say so. If your dad's hairpiece is a few shades off, tell him.

In some ways it seems that telling the truth these days is considered rude and tacky. Truth-tellers are considered troublemakers.

Lying to get out of trouble always complicates things, especially when the truth always comes out. Being bold and taking responsibility for a bad deed can save time, humiliation and the awful feeling that crawls over your skin as you struggle to remember what it was you said in the first place. You could end up with a lie that is too big to hold in memory, and a notebook may be needed to keep the times and dates straight.

Parents lie to their children to avoid sensitive situations or to prevent hurt feelings. Protecting children is key in parenting but lying to them is not protecting them. There is always a way to be honest with children without saying too much or telling them things they are too young to understand.

Honesty is noble and is quickly becoming a lost art. Fabrications may be more colorful and fun, but they aren't real. There's a time for fact and a time for fiction.

Learn more about this author, Stacia Elizabeth Whitbeck.
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