What is it in some people's minds that dictates they MUST lie about virtually everything at almost every occasion? You know the kind. The one's who will tell you an atrocious lie to your face while being aware that you know they are lying. The one's who will lie when the truth would serve them far better.
One prime example of this involves a fellow who was to attend the same three-day conference with me at a sight about 180 miles from our homes. When I arrived on Sunday afternoon I could see his vehicle parked near his motel which was about 200 feet from the convention center's main building. My motel was two miles away.
I discovered he was not in his room. I called his cell phone. No answer. About every 30 minutes I repeated the call. You see, he had arranged for my motel room, but I had no idea which motel in a town with about a dozen of them. I finally connected and found out which motel, then he mysteriously lost phone service.
He did not appear at any of the functions that evening. Numerous other attendees asked me where he was. This continued throughout the entire next day. On the morning of the third day I finally got him to answer his cell phone. He said he had already checked out and headed home, thus skipping that day's functions completely. I asked him where he had been the whole time. Why, he had been there the all along. BS! The venue was so small that total strangers became familiar looking by the second day. I told him he missed a great session on the second day on a topic of special interest to him. What, he didn't miss it, he was there. In fact he was sitting next to Mr. Soandso. I just didn't happen to see him. BS! There were only about 20 people in the room and Mr. Soandso was seated directly in front of me.
I once worked with the most skilled liar you ever heard. I was appalled as he would sit there and lie to clients, day after day. I can't imagine his world. My conscience would have had me up all night, poking me: You lied, you lied. Shame on you.
I don't know the proper term, but people who do that have a real problem. I've heard people talk about someone who did that by saying "He'd rather climb a tree and tell a lie than stand on the ground and tell the truth."
I would guess that the American Psychiatric Association, or whatever the organization is named, has a "term" for that particular personality disorder. I think they meet every year to vote on new ones to list and old ones to drop.
I am equally amazed at the behaviors of men that have a significant other but still seem to have the need to consort with other women for some reason. I am inclined to group such people in with the perpetual liars.
From "truthaboutdeception.com"
A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit - an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.
Could be your pal has something in his past nagging him.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
Sounds like he was knockin boots in that hotel room with some undisclosed chick. Did you ask his wife? 🙂
> Sounds like he was knockin boots in that hotel room with some undisclosed chick. Did you ask his wife? 🙂
Kris nailed what I was thinking too. Trying to cover their tracks but yet still keep an alibi for the hurt parties if needed.
> I don't know the proper term, but people who do that have a real problem.
http://www.compulsivelyingdisorder.com/understanding-compulsive-lying-disorder /">Compulsive lying disorder, also known as mythomania, is more common than most people realize. In fact, compulsive lying is commonly associated with mental illness.
mythomania....haha.
It also says "...not to be confused with habitual lying."
Yes, I've known a couple. They drive you nuts. You always want to prove them wrong, show them facts that absolutely disproves their allegation or statement. Once you realize that they will never admit that they lied no matter how 'in their face' their lie is exposed, it's hard to let go. But that is the only way I know of to not let it drive you crazy.
> I don't know the proper term, but people who do that have a real problem.
I know of several JOB TITLES that fit that description. Many years ago I began to suspect that being skilled at this was a prerequisite for professional politicians of all stripes. I do not want this thread to go political. I am just stating that I believe a healthy distrust of ALL career politicians is necessary.
That was the first thing I thought too.
...where lying was necessary.
Or just plain effective. Some young folks with wet noodles for parents run their lives this way.
Steve
