Lying for Protection?

The title says it all. In my experience, this is very true. I’ve fallen victim to the peer pressure of making a comment hyping someone up even though, let’s be honest, it's not really genuine. But what are you going to say? “I actually think you look bad” or “No, he's definitely into you.” It’s a struggle because you don't want to be the disingenuous friend that lies to protect, but you also don’t want to be that asshole friend who says it how it is.

I’ve observed in my life that the friend that is always praising people, though they don’t mean it, are liked more than the honest friend. The honest friend who says it how it is, is normally not liked as much. As much as people like to say “facts are friendly,” they're not, they can hurt. Humans, especially my generation, like hearing nice things about themselves.

This is even more concerning because I believe that if someone never hears criticism they won't get better. If someone says that you're doing a good job, you won’t change anything because obviously, you want that positive reinforcement, that job well done comment.

Now, I'm not say go shoot off your mouth to everyone about anything. I have friends who say "I'm just being honest," when sometimes their comments can be just unnecessary and/or hurtful. They think no harm, no foul and say "I'm just being honest." It is not an excuse that holds a lot of validity in my opinion because it is normally said with ill intent.

Finding a happy medium in situations like these are what I think is best. Your stance on this doesn't have to be completely polarizing. Don't comment if they didn't ask is another thing I think is best to consider. If they do ask for an honest opinion, say it nicely and maybe suggest a solution to the problem.

Well, thanks for listening to my rambling.