Where did you learn to lie?

It came naturally, a defense mechanism to “cover” my flaws and inabilities. However, there are different types of lies and it’s the big whoppers I avoid. @RedDeerGuy1 sounds like there’s a lot of pain in there. Try to rise above it, just let bygones be bygones and move on.

Under Obsidian Order Spy Extraordinaire, and simple tailor, Elim Garak.
His maxim was “Lying is a skill like any other, and if you want to maintain a level of excellence you have to practice constantly.”

My mother was (is?) a pathological liar. As much as I loathe that behavior now in people, I am really good at it. I learned by observation.

I use my powers for good though.

From my sister, I’m sure. She’s 3 years older, and would lie at the drop of a hat if it benefited her. My mom helped polish the talent.

To this day, lying is something I actively try to avoid. I never had any relish for it, and it’s usually just easier to tell the truth. I was tickled with myself recently when an old lady friend asked me how I liked the food gift she’d brought. I never sampled it, but exclaimed loudly, “Oh, it was delicious! I started it and S/O finished it! We both thought it was _wonderful!“_
At 55 I’m finally learning some of the social conceits.

Great story @RedDeerGuy1. That needs to be a scene in a movie.

A friend of mine told me another childhood story today of how she started smoking. She raided the ashtrays to get a puff of her fathers leftover butts. She lied to her father about it.

Really love those personal childhood stories.

Nobody ever taught me to lie, lying is a natural behavior learned in early childhood, usually to avoid shame or punishment, or, simply to get ones way. Telling mom you finished your broccoli to get your dessert, when really you fed it to the dog under the table. haha
Sure, everyone has told a few little white lies to keep social graces intact, not offend or hurt someones feelings, etc. Like @ibstubro lie about eating the little old ladies cookies or whatever.

Most of us have called in sick to work on occasion when really we are just exhausted or needing a mental health day. While not great, this type of lying is relatively harmless.
That said however, I loathe liars that lie in ways that are harmful. I can honestly say that I have never lied, cheated, or otherwise caused grave harm to another and I am very proud of that. I am just not built that way and those people that can lie without compunction are very dangerous types indeed. I don’t do lack of character well at all and if I sniff out a liar, I don’t give second chances to people with character issues.

@RedDeerGuy1

If half of what you say about your upbringing is true your parents should have been jailed for child abuse.