To some extent we know that the people we work, live or spend time with are not always being honest with us. They can't always be having a good day, be excited about your success or be completely happy for a colleague who's been promoted instead of them. But what about when deception isn't just about mood, but is actually an important part when interacting with other people?
Generally speaking, deception is, understandably, viewed negatively - if someone has to resort to lying, they're probably not very good at their job or not a very nice person. In the workplace, deceit can be toxic in an environment that values trust and teamwork and can damage productivity as a result. However, deception is absolutely necessary in many cases.
In some professions, people are expected to lie (take private investigators, for example). Deception can also be strategic in companies, such as when a call centre instructs employees to pretend that they're located in a different country due to customer biases. And keep in mind that even police officers have to make use of deception to arrest criminals in many cases. Additionally, customer service roles, and especially the kinds of emotional labour frequently carried out by women, also typically call for workers to conceal their true feelings. Do you really want flight attendants to tell you that you should be unnerved and should not remain calm when the plane is shaking, or psychiatrists to tell you that they do not have any sympathy for you at all when listening to your mental problems?
Sometimes, lying is even seen as the more ethical option. A prime example of this is when doctors lie to their patients about their health conditions, obviously not to raise false hopes but simply to cheer them up during treatment. A harmless lie can also spare people from unnecessary hurt, and people who tell it should be praised for their kindness and the good outcome that usually comes from not making a potentially hurtful comment. The most fundamental thing in pro-social lying, or the kind of dishonesty intended to help another person, is that it is not about gaining an unfair advantage or otherwise being self-serving, but about delivering little and harmless lies out of care or compassion.
Therefore, it's important to ask ourselves when it is and isn't appropriate to deliver the hard, honest truth, and when it's best to step back and offer a more delicate response. More often than not, it's about striking a balance between the two.
Question 1: Which best serves as the title for this passage?
A. The Next Time You Lie, Think Carefully
B. Lies: People Tell Them All The Time
C. Professions That Liars Can Excel In
D. When Deception Is Better Than Honesty
Question 2: According to paragraph 1, people around us are not always honest because ____.
A. They really don't like to be honest all the time.
B. They need to lie so as to get promoted.
C. They hate it when others are successful.
D. They don't always feel positive about everything.
Question 3: The word "toxic" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. unpleasant
B. lethal
C. uncaring
D. brutal
Question 4: The example about flight attendants and psychiatrists shows that ____.
A. in customer service, deceit is the best option in all cases.
B. only flight attendants and psychiatrists should conceal emotions.
C. women are better at hiding their emotions when working.
D. in some jobs, people sometimes cannot reveal their true feelings.
Question 5: The word "it" in paragraph 4 refers to ____.
A. fundamental thing
B. pro-social lying
C. unfair advantage
D. another person
Question 6: Which of the following is TRUE, according to the passage?
A. Psychiatrists must not sympathise with patients.
B. Call centres workers cannot reveal their nationality.
C. Lying is a part of a private investigator's job.
D. The police should never lie, even to catch criminals.
Question 7: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. Dishonesty in the workplace should be praised and promoted.
B. A pro-social lie is a lie that is told with good intentions.
C. Doctors should always lie to keep their patients happy.
D. Honest people will never become successful in the workplace.
