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a little white lies

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Deceit runs amok in writer/director Michael Maren's "A Little White Lie," a comedy set in a humble (and fictional) corner of the literary world where an everyday guy manages to fool everyone around him that he is the reclusive, one-hit-wonder author of a much celebrated and controversial book. But the film's biggest con doesn't come from this imposter protagonist so much as the messy script and direction that squanders an amusing-enough premise, and the apathetic performances from A-listers in search of a purpose other than fulfilling a contractual obligation.

In the lead is Michael Shannon , one of the greatest American actors working today with a gaze as sharp as a razor blade and a distinct, angular face he knows how to flex and soften to both intimidating and powerful effect. Here though, Shannon looks tentative and lost as writer C. R. Shriver, or more accurately, a Shriver who shares nothing with the famous author other than a last name. Part of Shannon's apprehension is perhaps by design—after all, his character is a New York handyman and not the enigmatic genius he pretends to be who gave the world The Goat Time , a book fiercely feted for vague-at-best reasons. But Shannon's adrift disposition here feels more see-through than dramatically purposeful. While he delivers his lines softly and distantly, one often feels that he's pondering how and why he ended up in this movie.

Still, we tag along when Shannon's down-on-his-luck Shriver accepts an invitation from a modest Midwestern literary festival of a struggling university called Acheron, an institution that mistakes him for the real deal. The annual affair is organized by Simone Cleary ( Kate Hudson , lightyears apart from her movie-star charisma in "Glass Onion"), a professor and writer who believes she's finally scored big and convinces her college's skeptics that their once-relevant festival is still worth their efforts and precious dollars. The drill is quite predictable—the fake Shriver tries to blend in as best as he can, dragged from one intellectual debate to the next stuffy cocktail party, all noted on a schedule he somehow refuses to read. But he barely makes sense as he checks off his itinerary alongside the likes of Cleary, the happy-go-lucky writer Wassermen ( Don Johnson ), a superfan named Delta (the delightful Da'Vine Joy Randolph ), a nosy journalist ( Benjamin King ), and another professor played by M. Emmet Walsh. All these escapades are supposed to be funny ... I think. But the humor of the film never lands.

One of the many issues of "A Little White Lie"—adapted from Chris Belden's novel Shriver —is the film's inability to define why Shriver has become so famous with a single book in the first place. During a Q&A session with Aja Naomi King's feminist author Blythe Brown, this question especially rises to the surface—many in the audience, along with Brown herself, seem to think of Shriver as a sexist author of a book filled with offensive language. So why does Acheron invite him if his prose has not aged well? And why does the liberal-minded Cleary still think so highly of him if The Goat Time  is that problematic? But before we can consider these questions, the film shifts gears with Brown's disappearance and Shriver becoming a prime suspect in Detective Karpas' ( Jimmi Simpson ) investigation. 

Another imprecise examination in "A Little White Lie" is the film's stance on both the pretentiousness of the literary world and the ingrained imposter syndrome all creators battle with at one point. With such a thin story and caricature-adjacent characters, it's anyone's guess what Maren's trying to say about such ambitious inquiries. Not helping the matters are some of his stylistic choices: the most shocking thing about a second Shannon showing up out of nowhere to represent Shriver's inner voice is how trite this idea feels. Also lackluster are the endlessly searching score of Alex Wurman —a jazzy beat that neither meshes with nor elevates the film's tone—and the film's exceedingly crisp look, reminding one that even an average TV episode these days manage to feel more cinematic. It would have been one thing if we could at least root for the inevitable romance between Hudson and Shannon's characters—but with both actors delivering indifferent performances, a palpable chemistry never materializes between them.

The story's got a double-twist up its sleeve, a resolution that features an amusing-enough Zach Braff in a forgettable cameo. But it's sadly an annoying one, serving no purpose other than making "A Little White Lie" even more uninteresting, to tell you a little cold-hard truth.

Now playing in theaters and available on digital platforms.

Tomris Laffly

Tomris Laffly

Tomris Laffly is a freelance film writer and critic based in New York. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), she regularly contributes to  RogerEbert.com , Variety and Time Out New York, with bylines in Filmmaker Magazine, Film Journal International, Vulture, The Playlist and The Wrap, among other outlets.

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A Little White Lie movie poster

A Little White Lie (2023)

Rated R for language.

101 minutes

Michael Shannon as Shriver

Peyton List as Sophie Firestone

Kate Hudson as Simone Cleary

Perry Mattfeld as Layla

Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Delta Jones

Zach Braff as Real Shriver

Aja Naomi King as Blythe Brown

Natasha Hall as Virginia

  • Michael Maren

Cinematographer

  • Jeff Castelluccio
  • Ed Yonaitis
  • Alex Wurman

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‘A Little White Lie’ Review: The Not-So-Great Pretender

Michael Shannon plays a handyman who impersonates a famous writer in this grievously unfunny comedy.

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A woman smiles and shakes a man's hand outdoors in front of a gazebo.

By Jeannette Catsoulis

Giving Michael Shannon the lead in a comedy is as counterintuitive as casting Jack Black as an action hero. Yet Shannon’s halting, withdrawn presence in Michael Maren’s “A Little White Lie,” an otherwise atrocious literary farce, burns an unpredictable black hole in the movie’s froth of clichéd exchanges and corny musical cues. Eventually, every other character will be sucked in.

Shannon plays Shriver, a monosyllabic handyman who’s mistakenly invited to be the guest of honor at a college literary festival and decides to roll with it. The event’s organizer, an English professor named Simone (Kate Hudson, reliably charming), believes him to be a quite different Shriver, a famously reclusive author who hasn’t been seen in two decades. Simone needs his clout to save her fest from cancellation; what Shriver needs is anyone’s guess.

What he gets are romantic feelings for Simone, though these are difficult to discern beneath a befuddled expression that endures through a missing-poet subplot, inexplicable visions and an attack by a randy gynecologist (Wendie Malick, I’m so sorry). A smirking Don Johnson lounges on the periphery as Simone’s horse-riding, Byron-quoting colleague, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, playing a Shriver superfan, adds a bright energy to her brief appearances.

Hobbled by a lack of visual oomph or verbal sparkle, “A Little White Lie” pokes feebly at impostor syndrome and writerly insecurity. Adapting Chris Belden’s 2013 novel, “Shriver,” Maren settles for a muddled mystery and a limp love connection. Shannon and Hudson never look half as happy together as Don Johnson looks on the back of that horse.

A Little White Lie Rated R for purple prose. Running time: 1 hour 41 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on most major platforms .

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What Is a White Lie?

Certain features distinguish white lies from big lies..

Posted October 28, 2020 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

Contescu Teodor/Pixabay

People lie, and some lie more than others, but most people are mostly honest most of the time. Taken together, studies seem to support the notion that while the average person is entirely honest across a typical day, the majority of people (95 percent) cannot go an entire week without telling at least one falsehood. Despite the disheartening message that most people are liars, we can perhaps take solace in recognizing that most of the lies people tell are small, white lies. So what is a white lie?

Defining White Lies

While the definitions of white lies vary a bit depending on the source, most attach a few defining criteria to the term. They tend to indicate that white lies, unlike what I will call “real lies” or "big lies," are about rather small or inconsequential matters. The white lies are often described as being harmless to others. And the reason that the lies are told is to maintain polite social manners and courtesies.

History of White Lies

The documented definition of a white lie was presented in a 1741 article in a British publication, The Gentleman’s Magazine . In it, the author wrote, “A certain Lady of the highest quality... makes a judicious distinction between a white lie and a black lie. A white lie is that, which is not intended to injure anybody in his fortune, interest, or reputation, but only to gratify a garrulous disposition and the itch of amusing people by telling them wonderful stories.” So it seems, they characterized white lies as being nothing more than harmless fibs told in the service of embellishing tall tales. The use of the white prefix owed to historical associations of white with purity and goodness, while black and darkness carried connotations of malevolence and evil.

Though the Oxford English Dictionary documents the first use of the term lie, in the context of stating a falsehood, to over 1,000 years ago, the term “white lie” was not documented until 1567 in the following excerpt: “I do assure you he is vnsusspected of any vntruithe or oder notable cryme (excepte a white lye) wiche is taken for a Small fawte in thes partes.” So, from its inception, the term white lie has carried the connotation of a lesser lie that was free from the moral burden and reprobations of real lies.

Research on White Lies

Modern research has examined white lies and the role they play in the landscape of human deception . Studies have shown that not all lies are viewed the same. They can vary in how harmful and morally offensive they are.

People tell white lies when telling the truth would be overly complicated, uncomfortable, or tedious. White lies allow people to censor harmful truths, reframe socially awkward facts, and otherwise circumvent the inevitable unpleasantness that would necessarily follow a path of unflinching honesty. Some have argued that the capacity to fashion a reasonable and palatable white lie rather than blurting out the offensive, honest truth is seen by many as a mark of civility and maturity. Other research shows that those who always tell the truth, even when that truth is embarrassing and hurtful, are widely viewed as unequipped for the social dance of modern human societies.

Motivations to Tell White Lies

Researchers have further explored what motivates people to tell white lies. What they found is that white lies tend to be motivated by four pressures. The first motivation is tact. People tell white lies in order to be polite and spare another’s feelings. If someone asks you if you enjoyed a dull date, it might seem more tactful to say that you had fun than it would to be honest about your boredom .

Another motivation is psychological compensation. That is, people tell little white lies in order to protect their own fragile image. If someone asks why your most recent romantic relationship ended, you might preserve your ego by saying it was a mutual breakup, rather than admitting the truth that you were unceremoniously dumped.

A third rationale was power deference. People tend to tell white lies to those in power in order to avoid appearing insubordinate. An employee might tell their boss that they are happy to work late, even though they abhor the idea.

Finally, people tell white lies for relational stability. Those little white lies help people avoid conflict and maintain relational harmony. A husband may feign a deeply held religious belief in order to avoid a relationship fracture with his profoundly devout spouse.

White Lies Versus Real Lies

Can we really make a distinction between white lies and real lies? In one study , a large focus group was empaneled to distill the key features that set white lies apart from real lies. There were five distinguishing features they isolated.

The first was the intent. With real lies, the intent is malicious, while with white lies, the intent is benign. The next feature was the consequence. While the consequences of real lies tend to be serious, the consequences of white lies are often quite trivial. The beneficiary was also an important distinction. Real lies tend to benefit the liar, whereas white lies tend to benefit the person being lied to or the relationship.

a little white lies

The degree of deceit also seemed important. While real lies are largely untrue statements, white lies tend to be a mere bending of the truth. Finally, white lies and real lies differed in how morally objectionable they were viewed. Real lies were deemed to be universally wrong, while white lies were viewed as largely acceptable untruths.

White Lies or Not?

Taking all of this research together, a definition can be derived. A white lie is a small, socially acceptable, inconsequential, and benign untruth often told for reasons of propriety or avoiding embarrassment . It is important, though, to bear in mind that the whiteness of a lie is a matter of perspective. What might seem like a caring gesture of support and compassion from a liar’s point of view could just as easily be viewed as a horrendous and duplicitous betrayal of fidelity from the perspective of the person being lied to. The distinction between a white lie and a real lie is not an objective feature of the lie itself but rather a measure of the sting the lie imparts.

Christian L. Hart Ph.D.

Christian L. Hart, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Texas Woman’s University, where he is the Director of the Psychological Science program and the Director of the Human Deception Laboratory.

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Little White Lies

2010, Comedy/Drama, 2h 34m

What to know

Critics Consensus

Little White Lies luxuriates in the company of its impressive cast and small-scale dilemmas to its detriment, yielding a comedy of initial charm that meanders into boredom. Read critic reviews

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Little white lies   photos.

After a traumatic event, friends go on a beach vacation where their relationships are sorely tested as they are forced to admit the little lies they have been telling one another.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Original Language: French (France)

Director: Guillaume Canet

Producer: Alain Attal

Writer: Guillaume Canet , Guillaume Canet

Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 2012  limited

Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2016

Box Office (Gross USA): $199.6K

Runtime: 2h 34m

Distributor: MPI

Production Co: CinéCinéma, Cofinova 6, Caneo Films, M6, Les Productions du Trésor, La Compagnie Cinématographique Européenne, Europacorp Television, Panache Productions, EuropaCorp, M6 Films, W9, Canal+

Cast & Crew

François Cluzet

Max Cantara

Marion Cotillard

Benoît Magimel

Vincent Ribaud

Gilles Lellouche

Jean Dujardin

Laurent Lafitte

Valérie Bonneton

Véronique Cantara

Pascale Arbillot

Isabelle Ribaud

Anne Marivin

Louise Monnot

Joël Dupuch

Hocine Mérabet

Guillaume Canet

Screenwriter

Alain Attal

Christophe Offenstein

Cinematographer

Philippe Chiffre

Production Design

Stanislas Reydellet

Art Director

Ariane Audouard

Set Decoration

News & Interviews for Little White Lies

Critics Consensus: Hit & Run Is Hit And Miss

Critic Reviews for Little White Lies

Audience reviews for little white lies.

"Little White Lies" starts with Ludo(Jean Dujardin) ending his night of wild partying by being hit by a truck while riding his scooter. That gives their friends pause in making their vacation plans. In the meantime, Marie(Marion Cotillard) kicks Franck(Maxim Nucci) out of her apartment after they have sex because she can only watch movies alone, just as Eric(Gilles Lellouche) shows up from his own disastrous date. And then Vincent(Benoit Magimel) tells Max(Francois Cluzet) how he really feels about him. "Little White Lies" has a couple of early moments of sheer gay panic from which it never quite recovers over its epic length. In fact, one such turns into a running joke over the length of the film. Otherwise, this resembles nothing more than a banal three episodes of a dramedy television series. And as much fun as it is to watch the likes of Francois Cluzet and Marion Cotillard act, this hardly makes up for any of that. That's probably because you are not in good company. Basically, we're talking about a group of self-involved characters with boundary issues. But they are not responsible for taking care of Ludo for which they are called out on.(I mean, does he have any family, a friendly drug dealer, a prostitute with a heart of gold or any other cliche to take care of him?) In any case, I don't know what these chracters have in common as they come from different classes and ages. For example, who brings their massage therapist on vacation unless it is for sex?

a little white lies

While one of their members is ailing, a group of friends proceeds with their yearly vacation. This film is a modern French version of The Big Chill. One can even draw one-to-one comparisons between the characters: Francois Cluzet's character = Kevin Kline's character, Jean Dujardin's character = Kevin Costner's character, Marion Cotillard's character = a combination of Meg Tilly's and Mary Kay Place's characters. It even has many of the same songs. It's okay to imitate, especially when a film is imitating one of the best, and The Big Chill is a superior film. But there are two important aspects of comparison that I consider relevant to evaluating Little White Lies. First, The Big Chill's characters could be reduced to types, but by the end of the film, the individual qualities of these character cause them to rise above the cliche type: the philosophical justifications behind Jeff Goldblum's character make him more interesting than the horny guy type. The same is true with Little White Lies; the scene outside Lea's apartment in Paris makes Gilles Lillouche's character more interesting than his horny guy type. This is where the French version succeeds, but The Big Chill, in addition to being an interesting film in itself, it's also a cultural critique, capturing the ennui and disappointment and failures of the Baby Boomer generation. It may be that Little White Lies makes a similar cultural critique for French audiences, but it doesn't translate, and including the sixties nostalgia songs that graced The Big Chill only serves to muddy the film's message. Overall, this is a strong film with excellent performances and esprit de corps, but the film's larger context makes it less than its idols.

A wonderful European gem with a great cast and a well written script built on intriguing characters with Woody Allen-esque obsessions that during their most recent vacation are confronted with truths which they would have rather not known. A tad longer than I would have liked it to be, it nevertheless left me with a warm feeling inside.

A very entertaining drama concerning a group of friends going off to a summer house for part of the summer despite one of their own getting involved in a horrific car accident(brilliantly played out in the beginning) various relationship threads going on between some, and sometimes boiling over. a great cast of french cinema, a few of the male leads i have discovered in the last couple of years and shows what a great asemble of actors you can draw from there. at over two hours it does not outstay its welcome and somethings always happening.

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A Little White Lie? 7 Rom Coms To Watch After ‘Upgraded’

Trisha Bartle

In Amazon’s new rom com, Upgraded , Ana (Camila Mendes) is just trying to find a place for herself in the art world. When she’s upgraded to first class on her way to London, she ends up not correcting her hot seatmate when he assumes she’s an art director, rather than a lowly Assistant #3. How far would you go with a lie if it meant you’re finally living your career and romance dreams?

Upgraded is so fun with a stellar performance by Mendes. It might just leave you wanting more, so that’s where I come in. I’ve compiled the best rom coms that feature the main character trying to recover after epically lying to their love interest. Could you trust your love if they lied? Watch these after Upgraded for the full “based on a lie” romantic comedy trope.

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

a little white lies

Lucy works as a toll-taker for the train, and she has a secret crush on Peter, a man she’s never really met. When she saves him from getting decimated by the train, a nurse mistakes her for his fiancé. As he’s stuck in a coma, she ends up going along with the lie when she meets his family. If only she wasn’t falling for his brother… Watch While You Were Sleeping on Disney+ .

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

a little white lies

Kathleen and Joe are rival bookstore owners, but have no idea that they’re also each others’ anonymous AOL pen pals. They’re falling in love online while hating each other in real life. But when Joe realizes who she really is, he skips the opportunity to tell her and keeps up the lie instead to string her along. Rent You’ve Got Mail on Prime Video .

She’s All That (1999)

a little white lies

Zack’s best friend crafts a bet: He has to turn the worst girl in school into the prom queen in order to win. But, as he gets to know Laney Boggs and her brash, art-loving personality, he realizes that she’s actually wonderful. Does he tell her right away or let the lie get exposed? Watch She’s All That on Netflix and Paramount+ .

Never Been Kissed (1999)

a little white lies

All Josie wants is to become a reporter for the newspaper she works for. When she’s offered a chance to go back to high school and pretend to be a student for a scoop, she jumps at the chance. But when she starts falling for the actually age-appropriate English teacher, she has to choose between love and her career. (Or does she?) Watch Never Been Kissed on Starz .

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

a little white lies

Andie wants to write an article about how needy women turn men off, so she starts a relationship with Ben as a way to prove her theory. Ben, on the other hand, insists that he can make any woman fall in love with him, so he’s down to stay with Andie even when she’s being a nightmare. This is a rare rom com watch where both people are knee-deep in lies. Watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days on Paramount+ .

She’s the Man (2006)

a little white lies

Viola just wants to play soccer, so when her high school cuts the girls’ team, she moves schools and pretends to be a guy to prove a point. Things are going well except for one problem: She’s falling for her roommate and he thinks she’s a dude. This is a must-watch classic that launched Channing Tatum’s career. Watch She’s the Man on Netflix and Paramount+ .

Second Act (2018)

a little white lies

Less about romance, Second Act is the closest to Upgraded on this list. Jennifer Lopez’s Maya works at a grocery store and just wants to move up in the world. When her godson makes her look like a Harvard alum with tons of fake business experience online, she’s quickly living the dream she always wanted. But what happens if people find out? Watch Second Act on Hulu .

Trisha Bartle

Yes, I really love movies this much.

Keep up with Trisha on Instagram and Twitter

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17 White Lies People Innocently Told But Were Almost Immediately Caught And Called Out

They're little harmless lies that came to bite them in the butt.

Brian Galindo

BuzzFeed Staff

Recently, I asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us if they have ever told a little white lie or non-malicious lie only to get caught.

"With a tiny white lie!"

I got lots of responses. Below are just some of the comments that'll give you second-hand embarrassment and make you say, "I get why they lied and it was cringe they were caught":

1. "it was saint paddy’s day, and i called off work sick to go drinking with my friends. we went to a popular local irish bar, and i ended up getting drunk pretty early in the day. so much so that when the local news crew ended up arriving at the bar to do a segment, i was chatting up and drunkenly dancing with the reporter who was interviewing people. ended up on the local 6 p.m. news completely shitfaced. turns out my boss watched the news nightly, along with several of my coworkers. busted, lol.".

People celebrating on St. Patrick's Day

2. "We were eating at my cousin's for dinner one night, and my aunt brought out the dessert, an apple cake she had worked really hard on. She began to cut slices and serve to everyone. As people began eating their piece, it was clear that the cake was really disgusting, but my uncle silently told everyone to keep eating so my aunt wouldn't be offended. In essence, lie to my aunt that we loved the cake, even though each bite was torturous. So we're sitting there, painfully chewing and swallowing the cake, trying hard to keep smiling."

"Finally my aunt sat down and took a bite. She immediately spit it out and said, 'This cake tastes awful! Why are you all eating it?!' Relieved, the rest of us threw down our forks, spit out what was in our mouth, and washed our mouths out until no remnant of the cake was left. Still a family joke till this day. :)"

A slice of cake cut out

3. "Back in the early 2000s, our family computer died, and I immediately knew it was probably from a virus it got from downloading so many MP3s off LimeWire. My parents, who probably read about it, had told me I was not to download anything from a peer-to-peer site because they didn't want any trouble from the FBI. I figured we would just throw out the old computer and get a new one, but instead one day while I was at school, my dad took the computer to the shop to get it looked at and repaired."

"When I got home, I was a little worried when my mom told me my dad had taken the computer to get fixed, but figured there was no way it would turn on again. A few days later, my dad got a call from the computer repair guy asking him if he wanted him to back-up some files and the file of MP3s before he erased the computer's hard drive."

LimeWire interface

4. "For years, my husband has loved my 'homemade' angel food cake. It's actually the angel food cake that is displayed above the strawberries at Walmart. I just so happen to have a pan that it fits perfectly in, so it was extra convincing. Until he found the package in the trash, he thought I made it. He still loves it and still calls it my angel food cake."

Angel food cake

5. "I used to be involved in petty crime, and would often use an alias. One evening, a cop rolled up on me while I was walking, and thinking quickly, I pretended to be 'Henry,' a young man with a learning disability who lived with his grandmother. After a short and friendly conversation with the cop explaining how I was collecting cans late at night to supplement my grandmother’s income, in which I’m certain, he was believing; a second cop pulls up, looks me in the eye, and says, 'Hey Eric, what’s going on?' I did a few months in the county on unrelated warrants as a result, but the misinformation charge was dropped because the first cop never asked for identification."

A man getting his mug shot taken

— ericmcauliffe

6. "I was babysitting a 5-year-old when I accidentally passed gas. Of course, I blamed it on him. Then he said he knew it was me because his farts don’t smell like that. To which I responded that I can’t fart because I don’t have a bum. To which he responded, 'Then why were you pooping in the bathroom before?' Point. Set. Match."

a woman plugging her nose

7. "I am a super picky eater. Many years ago, my then-boyfriend invited me to meet his family at a family party they were having. His family was nice...but the food did not look appetizing at all, and to not come across as rude, I told them I was vegan (to which my ex played along with). Though, I did find some Domino's they had ordered for the kids and some veggies with ranch to eat. While I was munching on that, my ex's cousin, who actually was a vegan, asked me why I was eating cheese and dairy if I really was vegan."

a Domino's pizza box

8. "When I was a kid, I pretended to be sick so I could go to the arcade that used to be located inside one of the malls in my city. My teacher later told me that she saw me standing at the bus stop. 💀"

closeup of a joystick on an arcade game

— flightforvanity

9. "I clogged a toilet at a friend of a friend's birthday party. It was an old house, and I didn't know you weren't supposed to flush the toilet paper. When my friend's friend found out there was a problem with the toilet, she politely asked if any of us had used the bathroom and flushed toilet paper or something else down. Thinking no one saw me use the bathroom, I shook my head no; her 5-or-6-year-old daughter who was within earshot then loudly said, 'I saw her use the bathroom, mommy.'"

a toilet

10. "It was my sophomore year of high school, and my brother was a senior. I forged a note to skip and gave it to my German teacher. It said I had an appointment with my therapist. My teacher then asked my brother about it, and he told her no, that I don’t see a therapist. Busted! Most teachers were too embarrassed to bring it up."

a person in therapy

11. "Not me but a close high school friend in 1985. A group of us were at the mall, and near the cinemas there was a wall of flashing lights with a small sign warning that the strobing lights may cause seizures. My friend thought it would be funny to roll on the floor and pretend to have a seizure. We didn’t know it was a joke and began screaming for help. Within seconds an off-duty nurse came to his aid, and two minutes later the paramedics were attending to him and soon rushing him to the hospital."

"He went through multiple tests and an MRI but was so scared of getting in trouble he kept the secret. Two months later, his mom was making plans to drive him out of state to see a specialist, and he finally confessed that it was just a horrible joke gone wrong."

an ambulance truck

12. "In elementary school, my dad and I had a tradition of going to the dollar store and me getting to pick out one item. In fourth grade, I chose blue reading glasses with daisies and wore them to school for the next few days. Being 9, I quickly grew tired of wearing them, and when I showed up to school the next time without them, my teacher questioned me. I had to admit to the whole class I had been lying and didn't really need glasses. Still traumatized by that one!"

a pair of blue glasses

13. "When I was 8 or 9 years old, my older cousin (who was more like a sister), then 16, was the coolest person on earth. She had the coolest eyeshadow, a copper shade with orange and gold tones that looked good on me. I took said makeup and blamed it on her younger sister. We lived in different states, and my cousin was bummed that it went missing, and her sister was upset she got blamed for it."

"Our grandmother who lived with us, asked me about it and, of course, I denied it. I later got caught wearing the evidence on my eyes, and from what I know, my cousin never found out who took it. It turned out it was a Lancôme shadow, and that little act of theft started a habit of expensive, high-end makeup and skincare, while also developing first name basis-type thing with both Sephora and Ulta staff. Both of my cousins forgot about this incident until I fessed up on my older cousin’s 50th birthday 10 years ago."

an eyeshadow palate

14. "Years ago, many, MANY years ago, a friend and I were playing with our Hot Wheels cars in my basement. I had to leave for a couple of minutes, and when I returned I noticed my favorite car was missing. I asked him if he knew where it was, and he pretended to look for it. I knew my friend had taken it. I told him that maybe I had left it upstairs to give him an opportunity to put the car back. When I came back downstairs, my car was there."

A Hot Wheels car

15. "To impress some guy I was on a first date with, I told him I really liked The Simpsons (his favorite comfort show...and that I maybe have seen one episode of). He then began quoting it, and I had no idea what the jokes were. When he asked me to tell him my favorite quote, I froze and fessed up. We did not have a second date."

Screenshot from "The Simpsons"

16. "When I first met my wife, she was drinking White Russians. We got to talking, and she said they were her favorite drink. And wouldn't you know it? They turned out to be my favorite drink as well. Fast-forward six years and we're getting married, and we're picking our signature drinks for the reception. Obviously, she wanted White Russians. At that time, I finally told her that I didn't really like White Russians and only said that to continue talking to her that night. We wound up doing whiskey sours as our signature cocktail as we both really liked them, and drank them a lot when we went out. Because she's a saint, our marriage survived my betrayal. :-P"

A White Russian drink

— flyerboy6

17. And lastly, "I'm a 55-year-old gay combat veteran. I was the king of white lies for the first 23 years of my life."

a soldier in front of a gay pride flag

— dangerwilrobinson

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Little White Lie

Little White Lie (2014)

A film about denial, race, family secrets and a search for identity. A film about denial, race, family secrets and a search for identity. A film about denial, race, family secrets and a search for identity.

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15 Crazy Lies We All Tell Our Kids

Posted: November 17, 2023 | Last updated: November 17, 2023

<p><span>Tell the truth in all situations. By telling the truth, you establish credibility and trust and will be happier and more successful. Telling the truth matters in business and in your personal life. </span></p>

Parenthood often involves a little white lie or two, and sometimes these untruths are woven into the fabric of our children’s upbringing. From the tooth fairy’s preferences to the mysterious ways of ice cream trucks, we’ve all been guilty of telling our kids tales that make life a little more colorful. Here are 15 crazy lies we all tell our kids and the reasoning behind them. 

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The Ice Cream Truck Only Plays Music When It’s Out Of Ice Cream

If you grew up thinking that the ice cream man was always out of ice cream, you can thank your parents for that. We’ve all used this fib to avoid a sugary meltdown, but in reality, the jingle means the ice cream is coming. When has an ice cream truck really ever run out of treats?

<p><span>Taking a complex topic and breaking it down into its simplest terms shows a high level of understanding. If you can take something you learned and explain it to a kid on the street, it means your level of understanding is quite high, and you are a fast learner. Hopefully, by teaching something to this kid, you are inspiring the next generation of fast learners. </span></p>

The Tooth Fairy Pays More For Clean Teeth

We may use this to incentivize good oral hygiene in our kids, but you know your family’s Tooth Fairy will pay the same rate regardless of tooth cleanliness. Now, if the chores haven’t been done, that’s another story and the Tooth Fairy might dock your reward. 

<p><span>When you purchase something, do you ask yourself if it is something you need or just something you want? The quicker you can distinguish between what you need and what you want, the easier it is to put money where it should be going. </span></p>

Santa Claus Only Comes If You’re Good

Though it’s normal for parents to want to encourage good behavior, we all know this is a white lie. Santa doesn’t discriminate – every child gets a visit from the jolly man in red, but this is still one of the most common lies we all tell our kids. 

<p><span>The proper diet consists mostly of whole foods. Mix meat, vegetables, and fruits, and eat as many natural and organic things as you can. We all enjoy treats here and there but be mindful about what you are ingesting. </span></p>

Eating Carrots Gives You Superhero Vision

Carrots are nutritious, but they won’t grant X-ray vision; this is one of the lies we all tell our kids to promote healthy eating. Funnily enough, it has been proven that eating high quantities of carrots can actually change your skin tone to look more orange. 

<p><span>A little TV may be a great way for you to unwind after a tough day. The problem is that most people don't turn it off. Read a book, go for a walk, play a sport these activities are much better for you than watching TV. </span></p>

The TV Stops Working At A Certain Time

The TV doesn’t magically stop—it’s just a parental time limit to prevent endless screen time. However, the TV may magically switch from cartoons to sports every now and again. It’s a mystery to us all. 

<p><span>Comparing yourself to others will only get you as far as the other person. Don't compare yourself to others instead, try to become the best version of yourself. </span></p>

If You Keep Making That Face, It’ll Get Stuck That Way

No worries, those funny faces won’t leave a permanent mark—no matter how much they aggravate the adults in your life. Parents everywhere love using this one, but it’s simply one of the lies we all tell our kids. 

<p><span>If you are afraid of failure, you will never know what success looks like. Try to overcome your fears and try something new that could lead to more money. </span></p>

Swallowing Gum Takes Seven Years To Digest

If you’ve ever lived in fear after accidentally swallowing your gum, you’re not the only one. While gum isn’t digestible, it doesn’t linger in your stomach for seven years. Gum simply passes through your system like any other food. 

<p><span>While this white lie is one that some parents might believe, it’s only because someone else lied to them and they never learned the truth. Birds don’t reject their young based on scent – this is just a myth to discourage kids from touching wildlife.</span></p>

If You Touch A Baby Bird, Its Parents Will Reject It

While this white lie is one that some parents might believe, it’s only because someone else lied to them and they never learned the truth. Birds don’t reject their young based on scent – this is just a myth to discourage kids from touching wildlife.

<p><span>Driving is an important life skill. Even if you live in a city and barely use a car, you never know when you will need to drive. </span></p>

The Moon Follows You

Don’t worry, the moon isn’t actually stalking you down. Kids may think the moon follows them, but it’s just an optical illusion due to the moon’s vast distance. 

<p><span>Everything is typed or texted in today’s world. Teenagers are not spending time deciphering their parent’s cursive handwriting, having to guess what some words even say. </span></p>

That’s The Best Drawing I’ve Ever Seen

When our kids bring home a colorful drawing of stick figures and blobs, we love to encourage them with praise and a prime spot on the fridge. But let’s be real, you know you’ve seen better artwork in your life.

<p><span>Although you may not know the name Mondelez International, you will know their brands and their products. Expect brand names such as Oreo, Cadbury, Nabisco, and Trident, ensuring its presence in the world of sweets and snacks. </span></p>

Sorry, We’re Out Of That Snack

Oh, you’re craving the ice cream or cookies we bought the other day? Sorry, we’re out! Maybe it’ll reappear after you’ve eaten dinner. Come on, parents, you know you’ve used this one.

<p><span>Assuming others know what you are thinking and feeling is a mistake. Learn how to clearly express your thoughts and convey them to those around you. </span></p>

Goldfish Have A 3-Second Memory

Maybe your parents lied to you too, leading you to believe that goldfish have impossibly short memory spans. In reality, the average goldfish has a memory that lasts roughly 5 to 6 months. While it’s still pretty short, it’s far longer than a few mere seconds.

<p><span>You are enough, don’t feel as though you aren’t. If there are people in your life making you feel that way, address that issue and find people that leave you feeling as though you are important, worthy, and accomplished. </span></p>

If You Swallow Watermelon Seeds, A Watermelon Will Grow Inside You

This tall tale instilled terror in the minds of children everywhere. Luckily, it’s just one of the lies we all tell our kids. A watermelon plant almost certainly will not sprout in your belly if you accidentally swallow a seed.

<p><span>Staying in the moment will help get you some real dopamine. When you reflect on the past and worry about the future living in the moment becomes nearly impossible. Living in the moment helps you enjoy life and decrease your stress level. </span></p>

The Stork Brings Babies

Although it’s a creative way to explain the miracle of life to your children, we all know you (parents) play a bigger role in that process. The day you have to break the news to your kids that a giant bird didn’t actually deliver them to you is never a fun one. 

<p><span>Do you really use a touchscreen for everything in your car? Most find that it’s just as easy to turn the fan up a bit or even move a dial to increase the volume. Maybe touchscreens aren’t all that necessary in the cars we drive. </span></p>

We’re Almost There

This is one of the classic lies we all tell our kids during long car rides, but “almost” can mean anything from a few minutes to a few hours. It’s just something we say to avoid giving a real answer and dissuade the kids from asking again a minute later. 

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    Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we've been described as being "at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement." Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ...

  11. Little White Lies (2010)

    2h 34m IMDb RATING 7.1 /10 27K YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 2:37 3 Videos 28 Photos Comedy Drama A near-fatal accident leaves one friend in the hospital while the rest go on their annual vacation. But their secrets and personal grief threaten to drive them apart. Director Guillaume Canet Writer Guillaume Canet Stars François Cluzet

  12. Lacey Schwartz Delgado

    Lacey Schwartz Delgado (born January 9, 1977) is an American filmmaker who is the second lady of New York. She is married to the Lieutenant Governor of New York, Antonio Delgado. As a filmmaker, she is most notable for her 2015 PBS documentary Little White Lie . Early life

  13. Little White Lies (2010 film)

    Little White Lies ( French: Les Petits Mouchoirs) is a 2010 French comedy-drama film written and directed by Guillaume Canet, starring an ensemble cast of François Cluzet, Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel, Gilles Lellouche, Jean Dujardin, Laurent Lafitte, Valérie Bonneton and Pascale Arbillot.

  14. 60 White Lies We Tell Every Day

    In fact, little white lies are so common that researchers claim most people lie up to three times every ten minutes. Generally, those white lies are told to three specific groups of people—strangers, coworkers, or loved ones—but, regardless of who you're lying to, one thing's for sure: we all tend to fib a little more than we're willing to admit.

  15. A Little White Lie (2023)

    A Little White Lie (2023) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. TV Shows.

  16. Reviews Archive

    Podcast: Reviews The Iron Claw review - a heartbreaking dissection of fraternal tragedy By Hannah Strong Sean Durkin's searing new drama focuses on the incredible story of the Von Erich Brothers, who became heavyweights in the wrestling world, but were dogged by personal tragedy. review LWLies Recommends

  17. Watch Little White Lie

    But it wasn't until she was 18 that she learned the truth: her real father was black. Eight years in the making and put together by Lacey herself, Little White Lie tells the compelling story of an uncomfortable, unacknowledged truth. 604 IMDb 7.2 1 h 5 min 2014. PG-13. Documentary · Drama · Cerebral · Emotional.

  18. One Direction

    0:00 / 3:19 One Direction - Little White Lies (Official Audio)Follow on Spotify - https://1D.lnk.to/SpotifyListen on Apple Music - https://1D.lnk.to/AppleMusicListen on ...

  19. Watch A Little White Lie

    A Little White Lie. Shriver, an NYC handyman, is mistaken for a famous reclusive writer of the same name. He receives more than what he has bargained for when he accepts an invitation to a college literary festival that is eager to celebrate his work. 332 1 h 41 min 2023.

  20. Little White Lies

    "Little White Lies" starts with Ludo(Jean Dujardin) ending his night of wild partying by being hit by a truck while riding his scooter. That gives their friends pause in making their vacation plans.

  21. A Little White Lie? 7 Rom Coms To Watch After 'Upgraded'

    Lucy works as a toll-taker for the train, and she has a secret crush on Peter, a man she's never really met. When she saves him from getting decimated by the train, a nurse mistakes her for his fiancé. As he's stuck in a coma, she ends up going along with the lie when she meets his family. If only she wasn't falling for his brother…

  22. One Direction

    With your little white lies, little white lies. You say you're a good girl. But I know you would, girl. 'Cause you've been telling me all night. With your little white lies, little white lies ...

  23. 17 Little White Lies That People Got Caught Telling

    2. "We were eating at my cousin's for dinner one night, and my aunt brought out the dessert, an apple cake she had worked really hard on. She began to cut slices and serve to everyone. As people ...

  24. 1948 HITS ARCHIVE: Little White Lies

    Little White Lies (Donaldson) by Dick Haymes, with 4 Hits And A Miss, orchestra conducted by Gordon JenkinsThe greatest postwar hit from one of the finest vo...

  25. Little White Lie (2014)

    Little White Lie 2014 Not Rated 1h 5m IMDb RATING 7.2 /10 922 YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 2:23 1 Video 3 Photos Documentary Biography Drama A film about denial, race, family secrets and a search for identity. Directors Lacey Schwartz Delgado James Adolphus Writers Lacey Schwartz Delgado Mehret Mandefro Stars Lacey Schwartz Delgado Sarah Brokaw

  26. 15 Crazy Lies We All Tell Our Kids

    Parenthood often involves a little white lie or two, and sometimes these untruths are woven into the fabric of our children's upbringing. From the tooth fairy's preferences to the mysterious ...

  27. Society of the Snow (2023)

    Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we've been described as being "at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement." Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ...

  28. Joel Osteen Lakewood Church shooting: Shooter had history of ...

    The shooter confronted a security guard Sunday outside the Lakewood Church, where well-known televangelist and pastor Joel Osteen preaches, shortly before 2 p.m. Investigators believe she may have ...