If someone lies a lot, does that make you the bad guy for pointing out the inconsistencies in their stories?
Be it politicians, fellow internet users, the guy at the end of the bar; we all know someone that likes to stretch the truth more than a little.
So are YOU the bad guy for exposing the holes in their stories?
I always look at lies in context of the source. LOL Some people like to "embellish" the truth. I think older guys are better at this than women. If a guy is talking about what a good athlete he was back in the day to friends or family, when he was sitting the bench the entire season, I'd never call him on it. If a guy claimed to be in the military but wasn't, I'd call him out on it. If a guy was talking about how the opposite sex was very attracted to him, I'd let it slide. If he talked about being with a specific woman by name, I'd call him out on it. You just have to determine what's important enough to call someone out on, and what's not.
If I care about a person, I'll make them aware that I know they're lying. People need to be called out on their lies. The truth is essential for quality relationships.
I guess it would depend upon the person and how egregious is the lie. I would also factor in how often that person tells lies.
As for being a bad guy for pointing out the inconsistencies in stories, I think it depends more on how you do it, and why you do it, than if you do it.
Pointing out inconsistencies isn't bad... but if you make them look like a total @$$, when really they're a good person, then that's bad. Of course, if the person is a total @$$ and you make them look that way then it's a wash.
Whether someone is a "good person" or a total ass is subjective. I may think "x" is a total ass, while you consider them to be a good person. Likewise, you may call "y", someone I think is pretty swell, an ass. So if I call out "x", am I wrong? What if you call out "y"?
Well this whole subject is subjective... that's why two different people could watch the same thing and have different thoughts.
A lot depends on the person's base opinion... before the action of calling them out started.
Not really. If someone gives two inconsistent statements, it is fair to call them out on it. It gives them the opportunity to offer a reasonable explanation (if one exists) for the inconsistency. If one does not, they are lying.
Example of two inconsistent statements that can be rectified by a reasonable explanation:
Joe, who sits at the end of the bar, brags on Friday about how many cars he sold during the week. Two weeks later, Joe's complaining about his boss dogging him for not selling enough homeowner's policies. These inconsistent statements are easily rectified by Joe explaining he changed employers last week.
On the other hand, if Jane answers a question in an online forum asking people how old they are on Tuesday by claiming to be 35, but makes a statement on another post on Thursday saying she is 30, then clearly at least one of the two statements is a lie.
I have my opinion and it's yes really.
Just because someone has two inconsistent statements, doesn't mean the person's lying... their could just be more to the story.
Example: I saw a red car ; I saw a black car ... well which is correct? ... well maybe there were two cars.
Or it could be an innocent kid making inconsistent statements... you don't just start cussing them out for inconsistent statements.
So yes it does matter about a larger context... there is no one answer solves all.
No where in the OP's question does it mention "cussing them out" for inconsistencies, only "pointing them out"...big difference.
I clearly stated that there could, in some situations, be a reasonable explanation for the inconsistencies and even gave an example. Did I not?
That's my point... you treat different situations differently. That's it.
Depends on whether it is embellishment or outright lying. Most of it I just let it slide if it doesn't have anything to do with my life. Lawyers, actors and politicians lie for a living. Politicians affect us all so they are fair game.
I'm a journalist. My job is to expose. And I love the truth too much. Hate lies with a passion.
I enjoy pointing it out. Good.. bad.. whatever. :)
Of course not. That's like when a cheater gets pissed at you for catching him/her cheating. But I've found out that with some people, it's best if you say nothing. As an example, I have someone like that in my family. He's very contradictory. If you correct him, though, he gets pissed. He will insult, curse, say a lot of not so nice things and all that. He will ruin everyone's mood if you dare to criticise/correct him in any way whatsoever. So, we just let him say whatever he wishes. Correcting him isn't worth anyone's peace.
It sounds like everyone already knows about him, so why waste your time and energy?
We don't waste it. But it affects you anyway. One time we were in a different part of the country (we're from Madeira), and when we were with new people, he didn't shut up about how horrible Madeira is, and how amazing the city we were was. But the moment it was only family, he didn't stop complaining about things around. No one can be around him for too long and keep the good mood, even if he's in a good mood. So correcting him or not, you'll have to deal with BS anyway.
With those types of people, lying is all they have. Chances are, if you know they are lying, most other people will too. We all know. Let them have it since it is all they have, unless they are harming you.
I refer you to the comment above yours
No it doesn't make you the bad guy. Sometimes it's a good thing to do...sometimes not. People should be aware of their mistakes.
I don't use Internet, so how would I know?
If someone tries that on me...oooooooooooohhh I'd have my fun tearing them down
No one is bad some people just need help lying comes from a place of fear