are white lies sometimes a necessary evil?

‘Telling lies doesn’t do anyone any favours’

WRITER AND BROADCASTER SAMANTHA BRICK, 46, SAYS:

“Guilty as charged, until i turned 40 i was one of life’s prissy ‘people pleasers.’ i was always that sympathetic ear. someone ready to indulge in a ‘poor you’ conversation, when really all you needed was a boot up the proverbial.

“Thankfully, those days are long gone. nowadays i redefine what it means to be brutally honest. you see, in my fourth decade, i don’t believe that either friendships or marriages should be based around falsehoods and insincere flattery. A genuine friend should never be afraid to point out home truths.

“if i’m not being honest with you, then i’m not doing you any favours by lying to you. dressing it up as cutesy white lies when it comes to girlfriends and relationships is simply not an option in my world.

“i’ve lived by the ‘honesty is the best policy’ mantra for the past six years. however, giving a truthful opinion isn’t always the easiest path. one friend was in tears when i assessed a disastrous potential wedding dress; another didn’t speak to me for months when i informed her that her chronic lateness was driving everyone insane.

“but the upsides are unlimited. i am that friend who is known for having integrity. People come to me for advice, they confide in me. if they need a frank assessment about a bloke, a work offer or a new frock, they know perfectly well that i don’t pull any punches.

“lying, telling porkies, fibbing – call it what you like – doesn’t do you or anyone else any favours. Quite simply, you’re causing long-term damage to those you love and respect.”