WASHINGTON — We all tell little white lies. Whether its to make someone feel better or to get out of an arrangement. But what’s the harm done?
DirecTV asked 2,000 people to admit their falsehoods, who they tell them to and which lies they think are most severe.
Interesting, and probably unsurprising, the top four most serious lies deal with the sensitive topic of sex, with the most severe being “I’m on birth control.” The least damaging lies are told to spare others’ feelings, including “I love this present,” and “Your baby is cute.”
When it comes to how lies stack up across the country, people in Rhode Island and Delaware are least distraught about being lied to, while people in South Dakota and New Mexico are more sensitive to others’ falsehood.
When it comes to relationships, people who are single rack up the most lies per day. Those married or in a relationship are in the middle of the pack, and people formerly married or widowed are least likely to lie.
The most common lie is the proverbial “I’m fine.” More specific common falsehoods include reasons for being late — “Leaving in 5 minutes” and “On my way.”
Most people still feel guilty about lying to Mom and Dad. Less than 9 percent of recipients say they lie to their parents, but more than 1-in-4 people admit to lying to their fellow coworkers.
