How often have you glossed over the reason for returning home late or how many times have you 'approximated" the marks in your grade sheet. Once, twice, a dozen times? If you think it over carefully and scrupulously, you would find that you soon lose count of the number of times you did this even in a single year. The reasons may vary but the means resorted to are the same. The modus operandi is common so as to say. This 'phenomenon' is referred to in a variety of ways, from a blatant 'lie' to more euphemistic 'tactful reply' or 'diplomatic answer'.

A person has a right to make all decisions in his or her life having possession of all facts whether or not they are distasteful to them at the moment. A few minutes of hurt feeling might avoid a big embarrassment. Telling your friend that she can't sing now might save her from becoming the laughing stock on the college cultural meet.

But the importance of the fact that the issue has to be dealt with tactfully can't be stressed enough. Even the most distressing fact can be handled in such a way as to minimize the pain it brings. Rather than coming across as rude, alternative solutions might be generated. In other words rather than saying 'Carol you sound like a donkey with a sore throat' it might be better to say 'Carol don't you think you are better at dancing? Why don't you dance and lip synch?". This effectively conveys the message without rubbing it in. If you think your friend looks thin, pathetic and awful in that chiffon saree, you might say 'Geetha why don't you wear those new capris you got the other day? They are just right for your petite figure. Not all of us can carry it as well as you do."

In a nutshell more often than not, white lies merely delay the repercussion, sometimes even blowing it up. It then assumes proportions of a moral crime, Break the news but gently and tactfully. Sugar coated pills may be difficult to swallow but they are the most effective in the long run.