WASHINGTON – Most people would admit to telling a lie from time to time, but a recent survey found that men tell more lies than women.
The average man tells three lies a day, compared to two a day for women. That adds up to 1,092 lies a year for men and 728 lies annually for women.
But while men are more likely to shade the truth, the nature of the lie depends on what men and women are talking about.
The survey found that women are more likely to lie to avoid a phone call than men, for example. Half of women admit they lied to avoid a call, compared to just over a third of men, according to the survey conducted for the Science Museum in London.
Men lie more about failing to have a cellphone signal, their whereabouts and drinking alcohol.
Women tend to lie more about what they buy. Thirty-nine percent lie about their latest purchase, compared to 26 percent for men.
Market researchers for OnePoll spoke to 3,000 people for the survey.
Top lies for men:
- 1. I didn’t have that much to drink
2. Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine
3. I had no signal
4. It wasn’t that expensive
5. I’m on my way
6. I’m stuck in traffic
7. No, your bum doesn’t look big in that
8. Sorry, I missed your call
9. You’ve lost weight
10. It’s just what I’ve always wanted
Top lies for women:
- 1. Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine
2. I don’t know where it is, I haven’t touched it
3. It wasn’t that expensive
4. I didn’t have that much to drink
5. I’ve got a headache
6. It was in the sale
7. I’m on my way
8. Oh, I’ve had this ages
9. No, I didn’t throw it away
10. It’s just what I’ve always wanted
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