Lying

[HNA444]

When does lying become mortal? I hate lying and I probably never really lie anymore even white lies. But, today a telemarketer tried selling me a newspaper over the phone, and when I said I wasn’t interested they asked how I hear about what’s going on in the area, etc. I said “we get the newspaper” and they assumed I was a customer. I just wanted to get them off my back. Is it wrong to lie if you just want someone to leave you alone, or to avoid an argument?

 

[smichhertz]

You shouldn’t lie, but that doesn’t sound mortal to me.

 

[Apryl]

When does lying become mortal? I hate lying and I probably never really lie anymore even white lies. But, today a telemarketer tried selling me a newspaper over the phone, and when I said I wasn’t interested they asked how I hear about what’s going on in the area, etc. I said “we get the newspaper” and they assumed I was a customer. I just wanted to get them off my back. Is it wrong to lie if you just want someone to leave you alone, or to avoid an argument?

I’m with SMichHertz that you shouldn’t lie.

I don’t get this concept of ‘White lie’. I realize that some lies are ‘necessary’… like, when a woman asks her husband ‘does this make my butt look fat?’… I don’t get that queastion, either.

As for the marketers: They are asking for YOUR money, but for THEIR marketing. Since it’s your money, you owe them no explanation for how, or why, you choose to spend your money. But, once they asked you, if you were going to answer (which you didn’t have to do), you didn’t benefit any one with the false answer.

My suggestion, if we could get in the Way-Back-Machine, would be

Marketer: How do you get your news?
You: I get it from the television or the internet, usually. But for now, I have no interest in getting the newspaper. Thank you so much for asking.

Simple. Truthful. They won’t be calling back any time soon.

Heck, you could have punctuated your response with, ‘Please remove me from your solicitation list’. Trust me: I do it all the time… well, not all the time. I did it,and I don’t get the calls any more. That and putting my number on that Do Not Call Registry.

 

[HNA444]

I’m with SMichHertz that you shouldn’t lie.

I don’t get this concept of ‘White lie’. I realize that some lies are ‘necessary’… like, when a woman asks her husband ‘does this make my butt look fat?’… I don’t get that queastion, either.

As for the marketers: They are asking for YOUR money, but for THEIR marketing. Since it’s your money, you owe them no explanation for how, or why, you choose to spend your money. But, once they asked you, if you were going to answer (which you didn’t have to do), you didn’t benefit any one with the false answer.

My suggestion, if we could get in the Way-Back-Machine, would be

Marketer: How do you get your news?
You: I get it from the television or the internet, usually. But for now, I have no interest in getting the newspaper. Thank you so much for asking.

Simple. Truthful. They won’t be calling back any time soon.

Heck, you could have punctuated your response with, ‘Please remove me from your solicitation list’. Trust me: I do it all the time… well, not all the time. I did it,and I don’t get the calls any more. That and putting my number on that Do Not Call Registry.

I know I didn’t want to lie, but they are annoying - they’ve called more times than once and they don’t leave you alone! So, a quick reply without thinking, I lied. Also, just curious, if let’s say a friend asked you “do I look fat?” and you think they do, you would say yes? lol

 

[baltobetsy]

Last time I turned one away with, “We don’t need the paper - we line the cat box with plastic now.”

 

[Apryl]

Also, just curious, if let’s say a friend asked you “do I look fat?” and you think they do, you would say yes? lol

Well, most of my friends know better than to ask me what they don’t want the real answer to… but I’ve also learned enough to be gentle and tactful.

Them: Do I look fat?
Me: You just have a full build

… or something like that.

Them: Does this dress make me look fat?
Me: I just don’t care for that dress at all.

… putting on a simple distaste for the clothing.

I used to work in a corporate office, and that was when I started with ‘That’s some tie you have there’… I used that if the tie was esp nice, or esp ugly. The guy didn’t know, and I was ‘honest’, but always tactful.

 

[Apryl]

When does lying become mortal? I hate lying and I probably never really lie anymore even white lies. But, today a telemarketer tried selling me a newspaper over the phone, and when I said I wasn’t interested they asked how I hear about what’s going on in the area, etc. I said “we get the newspaper” and they assumed I was a customer. I just wanted to get them off my back. Is it wrong to lie if you just want someone to leave you alone, or to avoid an argument?

…and before I give any one the impression that I NEVER lie, or have NEVER lied…

This reminds me of my senior year in High School. I had been in JROTC and enjoyed it, and wanted to go into the military. However, as that time approached, I got nervous (bullets… no names ON the bullets… dust… being yelled at as early as 5 AM…) and changed my mind.

When the Army called, I told them I went with the Navy.

When the Navy called, I told them I went with the Air Force.

When the Air Force called, I told them I went with the Marines.

When the Marines called, I told them the Army got me.

In just ONE day, I stopped all the calls, and all the future mailing.

I still feel a bit guilty. It’s been a while and I still remember what I did.

 

[valentino]

I think it would be better just to say I don’t want to talk now.Bye.Or please don’t bother me anymore,I don’t feel like talking.

 

[Catholic90]

…they asked how I hear about what’s going on in the area, etc.

I would have said I learn everything I need to know from my nosy neighbor. She knows everything. If she doesn’t know it, it’s not worth knowing…and she’s free!!

Then ask them to stop calling me and hang up. Nothing commands you must stay on the phone with them.

Printed newspapers are on their way out. So the companies are doing everything to desperately sell subscriptions. However, with the Internet and smartphones, very few people read printed copies anymore. I get all my news via the Internet and my phone.

 

[ClayPots47]

Caller ID! I just don’t answer the phone if I don’t recognize the name and/or number. Sure has saved me from many a near occasion of since, via being tempted to lie to a nosy caller.

If I do answer the phone, I simply say “Not interested” and hang up before they continue with the sales pitch.

Having both cell and home phone on the National Do Not Call List (in USA), eliminates most of the calls.

BTW, you were put on the spot, doesn’t seem the conditions for mortal sin were met; ie serious matter and full consent.

 

[marica_mandic]

When does lying become mortal? I hate lying and I probably never really lie anymore even white lies. But, today a telemarketer tried selling me a newspaper over the phone, and when I said I wasn’t interested they asked how I hear about what’s going on in the area, etc. I said “we get the newspaper” and they assumed I was a customer. I just wanted to get them off my back. Is it wrong to lie if you just want someone to leave you alone, or to avoid an argument?

I do that as a normal case.With that I did not make no one problems. That is easier way to resolve problem, if you just want someone to leave you alone.