Honesty

Well......that would depend. What is the issue? Can the person live a perfectly normal and happy life without the info? Or did they simply ask you a question like "does this make me look fat?" I guess, in the long run, yes there is a way to be honest without hurting someone, but it takes a certain finesse that I am not always know for, LOL. Lord knows I tend to blunt, but I would never, ever intentionally hurt someone. I am learning to be more diplomatic in my speech, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

At all times, even if it hurts. I have had people lie to me to "protect" me and when I found out, it hurt worse then what they were protecting me from. If you love me, you will always be honest with me. I have a rule with my daughter.........no matter what, you tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If I find out other wise (and believe me I will), you will be punished to the fullest extent of my law!

Ok, this falls into the "do I look fat in this" category.

 

Tact. There is a saying I always try to remember 'tact is making a point without sticking it to the person'. How we say something is almost as important as what is said, at least IMO.

I always appreciate the truth. But I understand half truths can be more palatable. After my mother in law's pre-surgery meeting with the surgeon, she found out more than she was comfortable with. The gynecologist she sees had just told her to come in every year for a pap for the next 3-7 years... the surgeon went into detail as to why, and my mother in law did not need all the gory details. The gynecologist had not put her in danger, had made sure that she was aware of her need to keep up with the exams, but did not divulge too much.

If I know something, without proof, there are times I will lie by omission, or even flat out lie. I knew that my friends affair would not be a long term thing, that he would go back to the wife(they were 'separated' at the time she met him). But I did not say it, it would not serve any beneficial purpose. I was there for her... I supported her as much as possible, considering the circumstances. But she had to figure out she was the other woman, not the ONE, for herself. For me to say it would have made her stubbornness kick in and she would have fought longer, harder, and dirtier to win. Do I think I was in the right? Not at all, but it was the lesser of two evils in an impossible situation.

 

as they sometimes says the truth hurts so i believe we all hurt someone with the truth its avoidable