Top 10 Lies We All Tell

Top 10 Lies We All Tell

Is honesty always the best policy? Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Lies that We All Tell!

For this list, we’ve focused on those everyday, mostly harmless, white lies thatwe’re all guilty of telling from time to time. Urban myths aren’t included, nor are Tooth Fairies, Easter Bunnies or Santa Clauses, and there’s no room for making a political point, or for controversial scientific arguments.

#10: “My Phone Died”

No matter how many times you’ve been messaged, called, or just generally contacted, sometimes you just can’t be bothered to reply. There’s not usually an exact reason why you can’t be bothered, you just can’t. But, then you meet the person you’ve been ignoring face to face and suddenly, your lie sounds weak. “Oh, I didn’t see your text,” “My phone’s been messing up lately,” “I think my cell’s been hacked by a disembodied force.” No matter how you dress it up, no one’s believing you. Why? Because “Message Read” reports don’t lie!

#9: “No, That Doesn’t Make You Look Fat”

Naturally, not too many of us want to offend anybody, and least of all our friends. But when your pal values an opinion – and that opinion’s in relation to how good or bad they look in an item of clothing – often the easiest thing to do is lie. No one wants their buddy to look bad, although when they’re stressing out over the cut of their jeans or the fit of their frock, then within reason, the best (and easiest) thing to do is to tone down the truth. When in doubt “Yeah, that looks great on you!” are probably the winning words!

#8: “I’m Never Drinking Again!”

OK, so hopefully this isn’t a lie we tell every day, but every so often, we’ve allbeen here. 8pm Friday: you’ve got your first drink in hand and there seem to be endless, fun-filled possibilities ahead. 10am Saturday: you can’t move a muscle, there’s vomit in your hair, and you’re really hoping that you didn’t dirty dance with that hottie from your work!! It’s then that you speak these immortal words. A lie passed down through the ages, it’s said with every ounce of sincerity, but ignored every weekend.

#7: “I Can’t; I Have a Headache”

Probably one of the most commonplace on today’s countdown, whenever anybody’s faced with the possibility of doing anything they don’t want to do, they suddenly develop a headache. It’s a universal lie. Don’t fancy going to class? Headache. Want to skip today’s gym session? Headache. You’re in a relationship, but you’re just not in the mood for “snuggle time?” Headache! And if anybody challenges you, then just hike up the symptoms until they have to take you seriously. Works every time.

#6: “I’m Sorry; I’m Busy that Day”

When making plans that you’ve absolutely no intention of actually realizing, this is evasion at its easiest. And it works wonders until the person you’re trying to avoid is frustratingly flexible with their time. Then, all of a sudden, you have to be busy every day! This lie also gets a little difficult to maintain if ever you’re pressed for the reason why you’re busy. Under pressure, you’ll likely give the lamest reason you can think of off the top of your head. Unfortunately, washing your hair just isn’t a reasonable excuse in the real world.

#5: “If You Tell Me, I Won’t Get Mad”

Or in other words, “I’m already mad, so whatever you say next isn’t going to make the slightest bit of difference!” A favorite for parents when speaking to their children, or for couples in the midst of an argument, it’s an untruth that toes the line between anger and rationality, but almost always falls into the former. Words can be falsified, but that furious, frantic, “I absolutely despise you right now” look in your eye can’t be.

#4: “Yeah, I’m Listening…”

We all say it, and sometimes we generally are, but usually our ear is away from the phone or we’re checking social media, online shopping, thinking about dinner… Anything other than listening to whoever’s speaking to us. As long as there’s the dull murmur of their continued speech, then all we need to do is answer with the occasional “yes,” “no,” or “I know what you mean.” Butwe don’t know what they mean, because we haven’t the foggiest what they’re even talking about. Or even that they’re still talking!

#3: “It’s Not You; It’s Me”

“Seinfeld”s George Costanza claims to have invented our third-placed fib, and it’s been a break-up standard for quite some time. A lie that’s been proven as psychologically problematic, it’s delivered by the person within a doomed relationship that’s directly doing the dooming. Personally shouldering the blame for the break-up might sound gallant in your head, but this phrase just sounds lazy when it’s out in the open. You think it’s only ever uttered in the movies until that frightful day it’s delivered to you.

#2: “I’m On My Way”

Punctuality is just plain impossible for some people, and those people are forever falling back onto this fabrication. When someone says, “I’m on my way,” it usually means that they’re just about to shower, or they’re finishing their breakfast, or they’re not even out of bed yet. Either way, they’re never on their way! Sometimes they put a precise time frame on things. “I’ll be there in five minutes… Or ten… Or fifteen…” But it only doubles the disappointment when they’re two hours late, and they haven’t even showered anyway!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Let’s Keep in Touch”
- “The Check’s in the Mail”
- “I Have to Work Early Tomorrow”
- “I Don’t Usually Do This…”

#1: “I’m Fine”

“Fine” has quickly developed into a one-word oxymoron. Dictionary definitions for “fine” range from the agreeable “Good; or satisfactory,” to the superlative, “high quality; or admirable.” And yet, whenever it’s thrown into everyday speech, it usually means that something is slightly (or severely) disagreeable! Ask your partner how they are. If they’re “fine,” then they’re anything but. Seek praise from your boss at work. If you’re doing “fine,” then you’re not doing enough. It’s fine to feel fine; just don’t say you’re feeling fine because that’s not fine.

Do you agree with our list? Which lie did we overlook? For more totally truthful top 10s published daily (we promise!), be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.