Why do so many people tell people what they want to hear?

Question

Is it so wrong to just be straight forward and honest? Do we all have to wear our hearts on our sleeves?

Are we so shallow we can't handle the truth? We would rather live a lie.

Answer 1

It's not wrong if you can do it with compassion--often that's just tough to do--and if you're sincerely asked for your opinion.

Answer 2

Because if they don't they won't be so popular with them and probably not be invited to future occasions where they're bound to meet.

Although your question and accompanying comments show a great deal of maturity and you're shooting straight from the hip, it may not be the right thing to do.

You've probably heard this a million times, 'Humans are social animals.' In a sociable climate how many times have you seen the air going bad when an 'unkind word' is uttered?

Let's face it, we all know our deficiencies and faults - but at the same time, don't like others to point them out. As you grow older, you tend to overcome them and become a better person.

Until that happens and even if it doesn't, nobody has the right to bring out unpleasantness for anybody. Let's continue to treat people like. 'You're alright - I'm alright.'

Answer 3

For the most part, people want to be accepted and liked. I believe that a person can be honest and still minimize hurting people by the words chosen to express what one wants to express. It is important to be a bit diplomatic and sensitive to other people's feelings. I certainly prefer a hurtful true statement than a untruthful one, even if the untruthful one would make me feel better. All in all, there are good people out there. It is important to remember, sometimes in the process of events it is difficult to do so, that everyone has their problems and issues and can not be always as we wish they could be. It is important to try to be tolerant and accepting, to a degree, otherwise you never have anyone in your life. The ultimate truth is that you can only control what comes out of your mouth.

Answer 4

So many people think that if they should tell a person the true about the issues, the person will not want to be a good friend, associate or confident any more. People do not want to hear the truth about themselves from a friend. It is like looking at the person with a microscope or the person is like a glass of water. You can see through all of another's faults, and you do not want to hurt their feelings. So, everyone will tell some one what they want to hear,instead of what they need to hear.

Answer 5

Not me, I tell people the truth. I believe that its better to hear the harsh truth now, than live in a lie, waste your time, the truth will surface anyway , so might as well get it over with asap

Answer 6

Because they know that telling the truth or what they actually feel will possibly hurt that person's feelings or it will lead to a long, drawnout argument, which many people just don't have the time or patience to deal with it.

Answer 7

I don't like to lie because of the guilt it makes you feel for a long time so I like to tell the truth. I know it may hurt their feelings, but if they are my true friends they will continue to be my true friends and we will work it out together.

Answer 8

Friends tell friends the truth because they love them.

"People" usually tell other "people" the truth because they're getting something out of it.

Answer 9

im so honest people have hated me for it. it dont see the point in lieing - its a waste of time even though i lie sometimes.
it makes me feel horrible inside.

Answer 10

Because it sounds better to them than a truth that would force them to change.