Naturally, we like to reassure our best mates by giving them answer they want to hear. Then their self-esteem = huge and glowing and they love having us as friends. No harm done. Or is there?
So what exactly is love addiction? And how does it affect people? In essence, love addiction means being so in love with 'love' that nothing else matters.
And then, of course, there's insurance!
According to the Association of British Insurers, around 10% of car and 15% of household claims are scams. And 68% of anonymous answers said that people would make a dishonest claim if they thought they could get away with it.
Lying about stuff is one thing, but what if you're asked to cover up for a friend who's known in your social circle as a scally? What if a male acquaintance you feel uneasy about wants a reference for a school caretaker's job? Where do you draw the line? Not easy is it?
Respect or love?
Research shows that people are more likely to respect you if you always stick to the bare truth. But it also reveals that they won't particularly want you as a friend. It seems that when it comes to our nearest and dearest, we love it when they're truthful and have principles, except, er, when it comes to our own feelings…..then, of course, they should lie for Britain. It's understandable.
The truth about lying
But whether it's to spare someone else's feelings or to save us a stack of euros, the strange truth about lying is that sometimes it isn't the easiest option. Practically speaking, a lie often takes on an unpredictable life of its own. Once it's loose it can create chaos instead of smoothing over a minor misunderstanding.
Tempted to gild the lily?
Do you routinely add a good dollop of icing on the cake at interviews? We've all (allegedly) done it. But in reality the risks far outweigh the benefits. Particularly when it comes to checkable things like credentials, experience and titles. What's more - and this goes way beyond ethics - you could get caught! Your credibility will take a beating and you stand a good chance of losing an offer if a would-be employer discovers that your exam results are pure fiction. And if your new employer finds out that you 'enhanced' your last job title you could lose the new job that you worked so hard to get.
Boost your self-esteem
It's best to accentuate the positive, as the song goes. Make the best of what you've really achieved. Present it in the best way possible and draw attention to your potential, based on your results so far. No-one can come back to you for that. And what's more your self-esteem will rocket. You were hired because you were damn good. Not because you blurred reality and fooled them. You didn't need to.
Pants on fire!
And it's more obvious than you'd think to spot a liar. Know what interviewers look for? Liars touch their nose a lot (think Pinocchio!). They lean forward. They lick their lips, fiddle with objects and their eyes dart around. Talking too much and adding too much detail are other giveaways. Things like stuttering, constant throat clearing and falling over words also point to a few porkies.
Well, honestly!
Even the business world has caught onto the possible financial rewards of honesty! A recent article in the Financial Times, by Simon London, (27 June 05) shared the shocking news that honesty could be a groundbreaking new customer policy. Now that really is going too far!
