People in the UK tell 34 lies each week, on average, according to a new study.
A poll of 2,000 adults found of those who admit to lying, 42% consider themselves to be convincing fibbers. Although a further 43% admit they struggle to tell believable mistruths.
The biggest reasons for lying include not wanting to offend others by revealing what they really think, to keep people onside and to avoid a telling off or a row.
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Results revealed the most common lies are "I forgot", "I'll do it tomorrow" and "I am listening". Other frequently told lies include making out you spent less on something than you really did and pretending to enjoy a meal you didn't particularly like.
Commissioned by Uber Eats, in partnership with Honest Burgers, the research found 51% of people feel guilty when they don’t tell the truth. Following the findings, a pop-up booth called "Tasty Truths" will open to the public where they can confess their fibs.
Those who do so will receive a free burger. An Uber Eats spokesperson said: "Honesty is a virtue, but as the research suggests it’s not always easy to come by. But with so many people feeling burdened with their fibs to the point of feeling guilty, we hope the ‘Tasty Truths’ pop-up will go some way to alleviating such feelings.”
The study also found those polled are most likely to lie to a partner - with 46% of those who admit to lying having done just that. Work colleagues were a close second, followed by employers.
The Tasty Truths pop-up will come to Liverpool's Honest Burger on Thursday, October 27, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.
These are the 20 most common lies people in the UK tell, according to the poll results:
- "I forgot"
- "I'll do it tomorrow"
- "I am listening"
- "I'm busy then"
- "Nice to see you"
- "I haven't got any change"
- "I've got no money"
- "I got stuck in traffic"
- "I don't know what happened there"
- Not disclosing actual price of an item you purchased
- "I'm not very well"
- "I'm looking forward to seeing you"
- "That meal was nice"
- "I've got a headache"
- "The email went to my junk folder"
- "I had to work late"
- "The train/bus was late"
- "I can't/couldn't get any phone signal"
- "I enjoy my job"
- "I like what you're wearing"
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