Is it OK to tell a white lie to your significant other every now and then? What are some of the little lies you’ve heard? Or is honesty the policy? Post a comment in this story, comment on WTOP’s Facebook Page or use #WTOP on Twitter.
WASHINGTON – Experts call it protective buffering. Others call it the little white lie or fib. But whatever you call it, some couples benefit from it and say it keeps their relationships happier.
Experts tell The Wall Street Journal that some instances of holding back are all right. They call it protective buffering. It also turns out most people report doing some protective buffering with their spouses and partners at one time or another in an effort to keep the peace.
For example, say you have lunch with a friend but forget to the tell your spouse that it cost $100. Or maybe your husband gives you a $100 piece of jewelry. You hate it but say you say you love it. Experts say in these types of situations that holding back might be OK if it avoids a rift.
But researchers say actively lying about something is more damaging because it can turn something innocuous into a larger problem.
WTOP’s David Burd contributed to this report. Follow @DavidBurdWTOP, @WTOPLiving and @WTOP on Twitter.
