Honesty

"...and the truth, shall set you free!"

Jim Carrey "Liar, Liar" 1997

Why is it so hard to just tell the truth? If you haven't heard, it is much easier to remember the truth. If you tell lies, you have to remember them. I encounter people all the time who are intentionally deceitful. When working in the hardware industry, customers would ask "do you have rental?" You knew right then and there that whatever they were buying was coming back. I used to enjoy being called up to approve a refund. I got lucky a few times and remembered certain people and I would inquire as to why they were returning their item. I would usually hear the standard "it quit working". That was when I took a minute and plugged the item in and guess what?!? It worked without a problem. The look on the faces was priceless! Then started the inevitable himming and hawing. Usually they ended up walking out with the product realizing they had been discovered. Just be honest.

" Mr. Manager, I bought it, completed my project and I just don't want it anymore!"

Will I be mad? You bet!

Will I issue the refund, provided it is within the specified time frame for a return?

Yep! And I will have respect for that persons honesty. I wont like them very much, but I will respect their honesty.

Over the years I have heard some whoppers from people when they are calling in from work. I have found it amazing how many people get a terrible "flu" on the first 75 degree and sunny day of the year. I also love how some people ramble on for days about the big party they are going to on Saturday night. Lo and behold, they call in on Sunday with the "I must have ate some bad food last night". How stupid do people think I am? And another thing, how many grandmothers do some people have? I find it amazing that when you ask for proof of attending a funeral, I get the "I lost the remembrance card." Really?!? My favorite of all time. An associate called in and claimed to be terribly sick. I actually believed this kid. He told me he was going to the hospital because he was so sick. A few hours went by and I thought I would call and see how he was doing. His mother answered the phone and I asked how he was doing. She asked me what I was talking about. I told her of the earlier conversation. She then informed me that she thought he was at work! He called the next day and quit! What an idiot.

I was a young party guy at one time. I know what a 4 alarm hangover feels like. I also called in one time because of it. This was the conversation:

"Boss, I got plastered last night and I can't even breath without being sick. Ill be in about 2 hours late. Is that OK?"

After my boss stopped laughing, he told me to rest up, drink lots of water and he would see me in two hours. Painless, and I maintained my integrity in the process. When I got to work and the laughing finally calmed down, my boss thanked me for coming in, took pity on me and gave me easy tasks for the day. I didn't have to worry about a lie. We all had a good laugh about it and the day went on. If Tiger Woods was just honest about his philandering, the story would be dead already. Bill Clinton, need I say more? Just tell the truth, its so much easier. You might even be surprised at how understanding people are if your honest.