everyone, answer this question, i need good and bad, even downright, inapropriot answers...?

Question

How many of you have ever lied to someone about something to protect them untill they absolutely needed to know? how did you handle it, how did they react? What was it you needed to tell them? how did it affect you? when was the right time to tell?

Answer 1

i like your hat

Answer 2

I'm still lying, or rather, concealing the truth. It would change everything this person thinks he or she knows . The ripples (or shockwaves I guess) would be devastating in several other people's lives. It's a hard burden because I'm worried about the secret getting out, but sometimes the truth won't set you free - it will destroy everything you know and love.

Answer 3

I never tell an outright lie. I may withhold information that would hurt someone. For example, if person A is gossiping about person B, I'm not going to tell person B about it because it's hurtful and pointless. But I don't lie.

Answer 4

There was one occasion when I lied to someone to save their feelings. I made me feel like pooh for a day. They appreciated the fact that I masked their feelings for a short period. But you can never tell on different subjects. You need to know the person you are lying to do this properly.

Answer 5

I've only ever lied for completely selfish reasons, to cover my a$s mainly.

I'd tell you about the other lies, but I can't; for your protection, I can't tell you until you absolutely need to know.

Answer 6

I found out that my best friends ex-husband was dating a mutual friend of ours and they decided to keep it secret because it was known that she (my B.F.) would disaprove. Our mutual friend called and told me all about it proudly (as if she was glad to have a secret that might hurt this friend) I decided to keep my knowlege secret from both my friend and her ex. I felt uncomfortable with this, but I was afraid of being caught in the middle. (very cowardly in retrospect) What made it wierd was that even though hey had broken up they lived in the same home ~ just in sepparate bedrooms. So, one night her ex went out and didnt come home. she got all worried ( like a wife) and called me hysterically in the middle of the night. "he didnt come home from the store! Im sure hes been mugged or killed!!!!" I told her to drive to our mutual girlfriends house and check for his car. She did. A huge explosion of drama ensued for weeks, and it ended up that the sneaky and secretive friend blamed me for outing her and got hostile and frankly psychotic. It became clear that she had an agenda which involved trying to get this guy to move out of his living situation with his ex and start planning a future with this guy. IN the end, I lost the friend I outed, and though I supported this guy beingaable to date whomever he wanted, I did think it was messed up that they chose to be dishonest. I regret holidng this secret ~ In a way, it was lying because it supported them lying to her. Im glad she saw my dillema and forgave me.

Answer 7

If its not needed to reveal it, then dont. But if your judjement commands you to do it, go for it as soon as possible. The reaction at first will be negative, but then the person will understand, usually.

Answer 8

Luckily, I've never been in this situation. I've never had to lie to someone to protect them. I've been very lucky. :D

Answer 9

1)Me
2)Fine as to be expected given the circumstances.
3)Poorly
4)How to better behave in public
5)Bitter animosity received
6)As soon as I was aware, that they should be aware.

Answer 10

i lie all the time.
i can't remeber what it was for in your that situation though