Examining America’s Lying Problem This National Honesty Day
National Honesty Day is upon us, folks! It’s the one day of the year where we’re all supposed to be honest with each other. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Shouldn’t we be honest with each other every day?” Well, yes. But apparently, we need a specific day to remind us to do so.
In honor of National Honesty Day, let’s get real for a second. Have you ever lied to your boss about being sick just so you could stay home and binge-watch Netflix? Or maybe you’ve told your significant other that their new haircut looks great when in reality, it looks like a hot mess. We’ve all been there.
But today, we’re supposed to come clean. No more white lies or half-truths. It’s time to embrace the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Of course, there are some exceptions – for example, if your friend just got a terrible haircut and is feeling really good about it, maybe don’t tell them the truth today. But for the most part, honesty is the best policy.
BonusFinder.com conducted a USTAT survey of 6,100 Americans to uncover the extent of dishonesty in the US. The results are in, and it’s not looking good for the nation’s honesty levels.
More than half of the country admits to lying occasionally, with over a fifth admitting to lying regularly. But who are the biggest liars in America? According to the survey, women are the most likely to tell lies, with over a quarter admitting to regularly lying compared to just one in five men.
But the real shocker comes from the states with the biggest liars. Vermont takes the top spot, with not a single Vermonter surveyed claiming to never lie. Mainers come in second, also with a 0% response to the same question. West Virginia takes third place, with nearly a third of residents admitting to lying regularly.
So, what are these states lying about? Vermonters are most likely to lie to their parents and friends, while Mainers are most likely to lie to their friends and boss. Both states are also likely to lie about their education and whether or not they love someone.
West Virginians, on the other hand, are most likely to lie to their friends and about their education. But the most shocking statistic? 61% of West Virginians have lied about whether or not they love someone. Ouch. If you’ve ever done this, I suggest you read “The Power of Honesty: Why Telling the Truth is Key to Your Wellbeing.”
On the flip side, North Dakota takes the crown for the most truthful state in America, with not a single respondent admitting to regularly lying. New Hampshire comes in second, with 88% of the population admitting to lying in some form.
Nebraskans come in third, with 8.3% of residents never lying. But like their dishonest counterparts, they’re most likely to lie to their boss and about their education.
Top 5 most common lies told by Americans
- Lying on a resume (85%)
- Told someone their food tasted good when it didn’t (61%)
- Told someone they look good when they didn’t(47%)
- Edited a selfie before posting it to make themselves look better (44%)
- Told someone they have already left when they haven’t (38%)
So, there you have it. America’s lying problem is real, and it’s not just limited to the occasional fib. But hey, at least North Dakota is keeping it real.
National Honesty Day serves as a reminder to embrace the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. It’s important to be honest with ourselves and with others, and to recognize the harmful effects of dishonesty. So, let’s all strive to be a little more truthful, and maybe one day we’ll live in a world where National Honesty Day isn’t even necessary.
