They should be told the sugar-coated false and misleading things instead. My friend says people should be told the truth and nothing but the truth. Who is correct?
2006-07-25 01:45:51 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
there are some curcumstances where telling the cold hard truth serves no purpose whatsover... so in that case sugar coat it...
in all other circumstances the truth as hard and difficult as it may be is very necesssary..
2006-07-30 12:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally think most people SAY they want to hear the truth but in fact they DO want a sugar-coated version. Sometimes it is just difficult to hear the bold truth.
I hate to sound political, but to answer your question, I think the correct answer lies somewhere in between. Yes, people should be told the truth. However, this can be done in a thoughtful and sensitive way. I think some people use the "I'm just telling you the truth" line as an excuse to blast others and that is hurtful.
If girlfriends told each other the truth and nothing but the truth all of the time there would be no friendships. An example: 2 girlfriends are trying on clothes. One friend asks "Do these pants make me look fat?" Let's say they do make your friend look a little chunky. Instead of lying and saying no, you could grab a different pair and say "I think these would look better on you". You are being honest but softening the blow.
2006-07-25 10:34:26 · answer #2 · answered by leahcutie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says: "The truth shall set you free..."
Which is true because once people know the truth, they can make an informed decision about what to do next.
But that doesn't mean if you're a doctor (unless you're House), you go up to a patient and blatantly say: "Congratulations! You've got cancer! You are going to die! Have a nice life!....what's left of it anyway..."
Wisdom and tact is sometimes called for when telling the truth, particularly if it's one that will shock/hurt/change a person. And naturally, there will always be people who cannot handle the truth there and then or if they're really stubborn, never. Just do the best you can.
So I guess, in a way, you're both correct!
2006-07-25 09:01:01 · answer #3 · answered by Studier Alpha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The world is not black and white, people do things for a variety of reasons, sugar coating as you put it appears to imply that its not the truth and yet it could be one version of the truth as one person sees it. Try to remember that its best to be honest but being brutal to people just for the sake of it is very harsh and in my opinion a little sugar helps most people cope with things of a nasty nature....there is a saying don't shoot the messenger however some messengers open their mouths and expose truths when they really should be minding their own business because they don't have all the facts...the world is shades of gray and we need to be mindful of peoples feelings.
2006-08-02 05:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Just Thinking 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People should be told the truth in majority of situations, but when this truth is hard to bear and they are weak and unprepared, it's good to wait for a right moment or expose it gradually. If they sense the truth but refuse to deal with it - it's their choice. I don't feel I have a right to stick it in somebody eyes to "help" them, unless is somebody very close to me, but it's still a dangerous mission, it might break the relationship.
Truth may be hurtful and this person could retaliate hitting the messenger, might feel ashamed and reject you until is ready to deal with it.
I also think there are exceptional situations when you are allowed to lie - like hypothetically - your partner is just going into the operating theater for a heart surgery and his next bed neighbor going through the same procedure before him (her) just died on the table. Would you tell the truth? Would it be wise to scare somebody already terrified?
Or dying aunt asks you to look after her beloved cat. No need to tell her that the cat was just hit by the bus.
2006-08-02 06:47:33 · answer #5 · answered by Feniks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I try to be as honest as possible but there are certain situations where it is best to sugar-coat the truth. I know that it is wrong to lie but sometimes it's not as bad as hurting the person you're speaking with.
2006-07-25 08:50:07 · answer #6 · answered by Jayna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one ever likes to be told the truth because its always hurtful but how its told makes all the diffrence if it is told with some sensitivity rather bluntless it will have less severe effects.ppl should always be told the truth,because on the other hand when ppl are lied to its generally not apperciated.honesty is then the best policy liked or not
2006-08-01 08:45:54 · answer #7 · answered by kittyminky000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its so easy to say "Always tell the truth" its not however easy to actually do it... Sometimes..you have to lie to achieve or protect something or someone..everything should be approached with an individual assessment, not a general one.. some Situations calls for the truth and some calls for a white lie..However White lies are as far as I go.
2006-07-25 08:59:11 · answer #8 · answered by MotherNature 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truth is said to be better but lies work best. Sad, I know.
However, knowing how much pain a truth can cause, I say, it really really depends on the situation and the individual. If only we did not have to resort to lies...
2006-08-01 18:14:58 · answer #9 · answered by Rachelgoose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should be told the truth and they can decide from that point.
If you say, "There's a bit of infection", when it's really cancer, that is deception of the first degree.
People may not like hearing the truth, but it is best for them in the long run.
2006-07-25 08:50:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋