How do you deal with liars?

[sc_rufctr]

How do you deal with liars?

- Basically I don't. Life's short.

[Jeff Higgins]

I count myself lucky in that I really haven't had to deal with all that many liars over the course of my life. Either that or I'm just that gullible... Seriously, though, at the first sign I simply disengage. As Peter says, life is too short.

I will admit, however, to having been hoodwinked by more than one over the years. The last one really got one over on me, going on for several years, establishing himself as a very good friend. In retrospect, I think he was "working" me, as a true sociopath, in an effort to gain access to friends in my local chapter of a small club comprised of long hood hot rod enthusiasts.

Essentially, he started stealing parts from my friends. His schtick was much like one J. Wellington Wimpy of the comic strip Popeye - "I will gladly pay you on Tuesday for a Porsche part today"... Except "Tuesday" never came. Every lie, every dodge in the book regarding why he "forgot" to bring payment until guys started comparing notes. So smooth, too, so friendly, a very likable guy. Had me fooled for years.

The guys did complain to me, asking me to "do something", but I always thought they were just over blowing the whole situation. He was very careful to never do it to me, so I never saw it. Until one day he began just patently, provably lying to me about a situation that had developed. The light came on, finally, and I started paying attention.

I was embarrassed once I realized the level of deceit being promulgated right under my nose. I didn't even really take heed until guys simply stopped showing up for club get togethers and drives. They essentially had to hit me right between the eyes with it to make me wake up.

At that point I wasted no time, immediately ejecting this lying little thief from the club. Funny, though, still clinging to some hope of friendship and reconciliation with the club, I did so more in an effort to say "we're on to you", hoping he would come clean and make amends.

Alas, the lies simply got worse in some desperate attempt to evade any responsibility. Like some of you have mentioned in your own experiences, I think he actually believed his own lies. Absolutely hopeless.

It's experiences like this that I think have hardened my resolve to simply not deal with these kinds of people. I put a lot of energy into this one, all for naught. Never again. At the first sign I just move on. Life's short.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I had a situation at work today, which compels me to comment.

It brought back a flood of memories, loosely related to the hoarding threads.

I don't give a rat's arse about lying.
A 5 year old can claim he has a space ship in the parking lot. Hell, let me on board.

If a used car salesman starts talking trash, it's more a reflection on them.

When the lying involves a slander of another individual, or that individual's honest intentions, I get really pissed.

There is a subsection of society which doesn't know better.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I deal with liars by not dealing with them.
This in a nutshell!

That's easier said than done. You can't always avoid your boss forever.

One thing I've learned: if someone isn't honest, don't expect them to not be honest for your best interests.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I used to work for a guy that would say to clients "Can I be honest with you?"
He would lie even if you said yes! lol

I know someone like that. When he says, "To be honest..." I know he's just buying time to make something up.