Little White Lies

Anyone in a successful relationship will tell you honesty is essential to having a great partnership. So, is it ever OK to stretch the truth when getting to know someone new? White lies are variations of the facts designed to hide a truth that would otherwise be hurtful or harmful to hear. Here are some of the most common untruths uttered in order to maintain a little dignity and decorum when dating.

Little White Lie: I've only had a couple of serious relationships...

Questions about your sexual history are crass and invasive, especially when you're just getting to know someone, so don't hesitate to be vague when a date starts digging for dirt. This little white lie is a handy foil when the date conversation heads to, too-intimate too-soon territory.

And if you do end up seeing each other on a more serious basis, deciding to be more forthcoming about your exes - you can always insist that you have only had a couple of serious relationships and the rest mean't nothing.

Little White Lie: I love it, what a great gift!

In the early stages of dating, hormones, chemicals and just plain bad taste can make us buy all manner of kitschy gifts for our loved one. We are often too courteous -- or too blinded by love -- to let our date know exactly what we think of their hideous taste in gifts. We don't want to break our lover's heart or miss out on getting presents in the future, so we fake it.

But this little white lie can have serious repercussions depending how wide off the mark your paramour's gift choices are. As time goes by - and the tacky and impersonal gifts start piling up, you'll find yourself dropping none-to-subtle hints in an effort to redeem yourself from this little white lie.

Little White Lie: It's not you, it's me!

As white lies go, this one does a nice job protecting others from a harsh reality. One of the oldest brush-off lines in the book; it's a handy way of deflecting unreciprocated romantic attention.

This statement softens the blow of rejection by telling your date that there's nothing wrong with them - it's you who is unworthy. Put it this way, it actually sounds like you're doing them a favor by not going out with them, when the truth is that you'd rather eat glass than see them again.

Being truthful is fundamental, but there will come a time in every single person's life when being a little creative with the truth is not only OK, it's essential.