The word 'HONEST' leads to hypocrisy..!!

Honesty is good but is it feasible to be honest all the time.. I, who strongly believes in telling the truth with a little lie or a lie with a little truth, am always uncomfortable with the idea of a Complete Honest reply!!

Sorry, but its not something I believe in.. I am not a compulsive liar, nor am I against Honesty.. In fact, I am honest but with words, I tend to play.. You can't say I lied as it had some truth, but a damn honest reply is something that won't come out of me.. Even if I try to tell the brutal truth, I find myself fiddling with words and consciously changing the real words I wanted to say with something less fierce and something that gives me scope for manipulation later, in case the need arises.. Something that is more acceptable.. I would rarely say I didn't like it, when I am asked to give my opinion on something.. Many I times I feel that a sense of pride is associated with the question and I try not to offend by being honest.. Sometimes its the emotions that I try not to hurt with the brutal axe of words that may mar a person more than the physical bruises inflicted.. Physical bruises, I believe are healed but the one inflicted by waggy tongues aren't.. These grudges are nurtured with time and the bitterness increases..

Atleast I don't forget something so easily... I hold it against that person, though I may not exactly show it but the difference is still noticeable.. It takes time, sometimes a lifetime to take back things to as they were earlier.. So why this honesty in the first place?

I used the word hypocrisy because when we are at the receiving end, we tend to forget these above stated facts.. We purposely use the words 'Be Honest' at the end of our question to ensure we get to hear the truth, nothing but the truth.. We try to alert the conscience and judgemental capabilities and at the same time make them link each and every word they are going to use with ourselves as a whole.. We put them through this gruesome exercise while they struggle to find words that are least offensive.. When they are successful in being diplomatic, we comment - 'You weren't honest!! Be honest, I want to hear the truth..'

At this point I wonder is it the truth, 'The Honest Reply', they crave for or is it a way of hinting that 'Start Praising Me Now'??

I strongly believe in the second.. If you go to shopping with your friend and you like some particular dress and then you look at your friend for inputs, what kind of reaction do you get? Most often its a nod meant to say 'Yes, its good'.. How many times do you try on a new dress and ask 'How is it?' How many times you hear, "Its good'?

Most of the times we get these inputs.. How many times did your friend tell you - 'Are you out of your mind to wear it?'

The answer would rarely be a YES.. Why do you think they don't say it? Its not that they don't know its not looking good on you.. Neither they want you to look foolish by wearing that dress.. Its just that they fear being Honest and upsetting you.. When you are gleaming with happiness as you feel its too good, what on earth made you feel they'll spoil your mood?

Its just an example.. If you are alone with them and you ask for a brutal reply then maybe you'll get to hear it, but in public, forget it..

I tell the exact truth when I know it wont be a nasty scene.. When we are on phone or when we are alone discussing things formally.. I have learned it through pain but its what I am sticking to since ages.. :D

The most amazing display of hypocrisy comes when you sit on a round table in canteen with classmates and friends and a bottle in spun around to point to you.. Yes, the terrible game of 'Truth and Dare'... I hate the game.. Not that I am a coward.. I have done the most disgusting dares [that you can imagine], as I prefer dares to those silly truths where you have to tell the TRUTH while people ask you about anything from your personal life to the most gruelling activity you are subjected to.. Its called a kind of 'ice breaker' but I called it a 'tie breaker'.. Why?

Here we are asked to say something we like about all the people surrounding the table and something we dislike about them..!! Its much more difficult then running around the entire canteen on one feet!! I am comparing the two, as I have done both.. And believe me its easier to run on one feet then tell the 'so called truth' about all with all the eyes fixed on you and piercing you as soon as you speak out their name to say things about them!! Its difficult to say good things about everyone without repeating the words you have used, I feel like rushing my hands through my bag and reach out for the dictionary to find synonyms for the adjectives I have already used!! As you struggle to find equally good adjectives for each pair of prying eyes, inside running the word search, you pray that the next step be some how skipped!! As you finish it to every one's greatest satisfaction and take a sigh of relief, you are forced to go through the round two!!

ROUND TWO

Here comes the litmus test.. You are now supposed to say one thing you hate about them.. For the past few minutes as you were struggling with adjectives to say good things about them and did put up a great show by getting good round of applause from all, satisfying their egos, you some how didn't see this coming.. You were so involved in the first exercise that you forgot about the round 2!!

Imagine to struggle to find a 'I don't like in you' thing in them while not contradicting the qualities you attributed to them in round 1 and at the same time be least offensive!! It tests all your social, literary and diplomatic skills one and the same time.. I think I should tell the recruiters about the benefits of this exercise and how it can help them find the best minds!! I would thus ensure myself a great future, a good job for coming up with this amazing idea and would definitely be a prized possession of the company.. The best employee award.. Wow!! What an amazing distraction in this testing situation..

As every one was interested in hearing good things and learning by heart the adjectives I used for them, I wonder who to start with!!

I take the bull by the horns and start in the same sequence as round 1 giving the others to still feel proud of the adjectives of round 1 as I unleash hell of round 2..Cautiously I use my words, my mind working like a super computer checking every possible meaning of the word I am about to utter about the unsuspecting man!! As I speak a word a loud laugh and a few 'Oh, you are right' and 'that's not correct' can be heard and I defend saying 'Its my opinion, I may be wrong'.. Soon the most terrifying moments are over but still a discussion is being held on each word I used.. And I explain.. And explain.. At this point I wonder why do people ask for it when they can't take it? The word would be quoted in the future conversations along with my name and I wonder why they remember the adjectives I used to point out to the things I hate while the most splendid adjectives of their good qualities were soon forgotten!!!
As I deal with this hypocrisy and side effects of being honest and saying the truth, I vow not to choose TRUTH in my future encounter with the game, still safer, keep off the game, which is difficult as you would be labelled 'Unsocial' for the rest of your life.. :D