To fib or not to fib? Or is it actually a lie?

[yellowbird]

Two days ago I bought a $50 pair of shoes. Wore them once, for about 3 hours, indoors excpet walking from parking lot to car, car to house. They KILLED my feet. Seriously.

I wiped off the bottoms, they look good as new, and I’m tempted to return them today. If I am asked if I wore them, I’m tempted to say no. If I say yes, I dont’ think they will return them. Maybe they won’t ask… but suppose they did… HONESTLY, what would YOU say?

My dear grandmother would say, oh it’s just a little fib that wouldn’t hurt anyone… what say you?

 

[1ke]

If they ask you a question, you should answer truthfully.

A “fib” is a lie. Trying to call it something other than a lie is just an attempt to rationalize wanting to do somthing you know is wrong. The mind is very powerful in this regard. But, a sin it remains.

 

[yellowbird]

If they ask you a question, you should answer truthfully.

A “fib” is a lie. Trying to call it something other than a lie is just an attempt to rationalize wanting to do somthing you know is wrong. The mind is very powerful in this regard. But, a sin it remains.

In theory, I know what I should do. I think we all know what “should” be done with almost every situation…but that doesn’t stop us from sometimes doing the wrong thing. I guess my question is more what would YOU do? If asked, would you honestly say yes, I wore them… and eat the $50?

 

[Reepicheep]

Suppose the store clerk had lied to you to get you to buy the shoes. Would you accept his explanation that he would lose his chance at a raise if he didn’t lie?

Or the store sold you a pair of shoes that someone else had worn and then returned, claiming they were brand new and charging you the same price as for completely new shoes. Would you accept the argument that they were justified because otherwise they’d take a loss on the exchange?

It can hurt to have to take a financial loss because of someone’s else’s failure.
That being said, a “fib” is a lie. The argument that it’s okay because you lose money if you don’t lie just amounts to saying that there is always a reason for any temptation to sin: something you hope to gain or fear to lose.

 

[Scottgun]

What would I do? Take them back, say I tried 'em on, say they hurt my feet, and could you PLEASE cut me some slack and let me return them, or exchange them for something else.

 

[yellowbird]

What would I do? Take them back, say I tried 'em on, say they hurt my feet, and could you PLEASE cut me some slack and let me return them, or exchange them for something else.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. THIS is what I will do. I think I will leave out the cut me some slack part though. I will say I tried them on for awhile and they KILLED my feet. I did try them on… for a few hours. Seriously, these shoes were made by some truly sadistic people.

Still a lie?

 

[Scottgun]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. THIS is what I will do. I think I will leave out the cut me some slack part though. I will say I tried them on for awhile and they KILLED my feet. I did try them on… for a few hours. Seriously, these shoes were made by some truly sadistic people.

Still a lie?

Not a lie because the time is non-specific, but it is best to follow “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” rule. “I tried these on for a few hours and they really hurt. May I please return or exchange them?” I know when I get a bad pair of shoes I didn’t realize how much they were going to hurt over the long haul. I think a shoe ought to take that into account if they want my business again.

 

[1ke]

In theory, I know what I should do. I think we all know what “should” be done with almost every situation…but that doesn’t stop us from sometimes doing the wrong thing. I guess my question is more what would YOU do? If asked, would you honestly say yes, I wore them… and eat the $50?

Yes. I would be honest and if they would not take them back then I would donate them to Goodwill. There’s always someone who needs shoes.

 

[puzzleannie]

I would (and have) taken them back and said “I wore these for 3 hours they destroyed me feet, I want a refund.”

 

[promethius]

In theory, I know what I should do. I think we all know what “should” be done with almost every situation…but that doesn’t stop us from sometimes doing the wrong thing. I guess my question is more what would YOU do?

Being that I’m a Kantean Divine Command theorist when making ethical decisions, my position is that if something is EVER wrong, such as lying, then it is ALWAYS wrong… ergo, by Divine command, even a fib such as you mention here is inherently wrong and sinful.

Therefore, as you’ve said you’re going to do, you take them back and tell them the truth. If they don’t take the shoes back for exchange or refund, then so be it.

If asked, would you honestly say yes, I wore them… and eat the $50?

Whenever someone uses money or gain to justify immoral behaviors, I always ask them one question: “when you make this decision, are you really willing to ask yourself if $50 is the price of your soul?”

obviously, the gain in question varies, and this lie would be venial anyway, but our righteousness and integrity are all we really have. The greatest thing in the world for us is the ability to look ourselves in the mirror at the end of each weary day and to LIKE the good person looking back at us in the glass.

 

[yellowbird]

UPDATE: Took them back to the store. Got in line behind a woman who was returning shoes. The clerk looked her right in the eye and asked, “DID YOU WEAR THESE?” I thought, oh brother… he’s going to ask me… I’m going to have to say yes… I’m going to be stuck with these stinking shoes… SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT! So then it’s my turn… I smile sweetly and the clerk says, “Sorry, I have to take my break… Hey Amy… can you help this woman?” So Amy comes over, I hand her the receipt, she is having a conversation with a co-worker and NEVER asks a thing. Refunds my money, and out I walk.

I consider it Divine Intervention.