this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2026

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In what situation would you want to be lied to? (feddit.uk)

submitted 2 hours ago by Fallibilist@feddit.uk to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It seems that whenever lying is being discussed people are quick to come up with justifications for why it's okay in certain situations, the classic one being that you were served food that you didn't like but when asked said that you did.

This seems to assume that the other people in fact would have preferred the lie over the truth. So I ask: when do you yourself prefer the lie?

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[–] kazerniel@piefed.world 3 points 28 minutes ago* (last edited 25 minutes ago) (1 children)

Hmm I really had to think hard about an example bc I would almost always prefer to be told the truth, e.g. if I had an incurable illness (I've seen my grandmother being lied to about her prognosis and it felt so disrespectful) or if I messed up something.

The only exception I could come up with is if it's like in a workplace meeting a question of "what do you think?" and the true answer would be like "that you're a bloody idiot" or "sorry I was just thinking of how hard I'm gonna fuck my partner tonight" or similar 😂

[–] Fallibilist@feddit.uk 1 points 19 minutes ago

The only exception I could come up with is if it’s like in a workplace meeting a question of “what do you think?” ...

Lying would still be a bit pointless as you could also just say that you wish not to tell.

[–] susieq0044@sh.itjust.works 1 points 43 minutes ago

Sexual performance.

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I am a realist and (at least in intent) stoic, I prefer the truth.

The earlier comment about not wanting to know if you can’t do anything about it (sister’s dog is sick/died), I would prefer the truth, but I’m not going to let something I have no control over affect my presence.

To be honest, I don’t think anyone can be truly stoic (think Spock from Star Trek) 100% of the time, it works with fictional characters, but “I control y emotional response” is always more of a goal than the reality.

[–] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 2 points 49 minutes ago

To be honest, I don’t think anyone can be truly stoic (think Spock from Star Trek) 100% of the time, it works with fictional characters, but “I control y emotional response” is always more of a goal than the reality.

That's the problem. I'd love to be able to control my emotions to that degree, but I know myself and I'm more the kind of person to have sleepless nights over the most pointless things.

[–] Pomal@sh.itjust.works 16 points 2 hours ago

None, it assumes you don’t respect my ability to handle information.

[–] Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org 1 points 1 hour ago

When the ONS calls afterwards and says she's pregnant.

[–] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 5 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

In situations where learning the true information would only cause me worry and stress, even though I'm powerless to do anything about it. For example, let's say my sister's dog has fallen ill and I'm on holiday somewhere. I'd rather be told that everything is fine and only learn about the truth when I came back.

[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 5 points 41 minutes ago

Whether it's temporary or not definitely makes a huge difference.

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 37 minutes ago (1 children)

Lie about the little things that don't really matter. Forgot to do something but it shouldn't take long? Tell me you're just getting around to it or just got it done. Did I ask you to grab something but you didn't look? Tell me you couldn't find it.

These are inconsequential lies that don't hurt and doesn't invent a reality that has to be remembered. There is such a thing as too much honesty

[–] MrOtingocni@lemmy.world 1 points 8 minutes ago

That's a really good take.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 2 hours ago

I can't think of a single situation in which I would prefer to be lied to about.

[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 3 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

Fun fact: Apparently, placebos work even if the patient knows that they're placebos. Looks like we have Pavlov-conditioned ourselves to getting pills prescribed.

[–] Fallibilist@feddit.uk 5 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I've heard about this as well. Though if I remember correctly, it still requires you to go through the medical examination, and then be prescribed the pills. If you just order sugar pills online they don't tend to do anything.

In fact, I think this even applies to things like some forms of surgery. People have thought they got knee surgery and have gotten better when in fact they didn't.

Not sure what to conclude from this. Perhaps next time I'll just say that my dishonest opinion is that the food was great.