In performing the right speech experiment, I took careful notice of the way I talk and of the way others talk. I noticed that much of my speech does in fact consist of lies. Most of the time they are harmless lies said in a joking manner but none the less they are still lies. Often I talk in a sarcastic way in which I say something in such a way that it is clear that I am in fact lying. Attending an all boys school, much of the day we joke around, throwing shots at each other in the hallways or at the lunch table. Usually it’s all in good fun. However there are times where it’s taken too far and someone gets there feelings hurt whether they show it or not. I also found that I had no problem lying to a teacher about doing an assignment. I usually do the assignment eventually and I don’t cheat. (I sound like I’m trying to justify my actions) However a lie is a lie big or small. As I continued the experiment I noticed myself and others prone to exaggeration in some cases. Whether it is while telling a story about an athletic experience or one about the date you had Friday night, we often exaggerated. And then there were those lies we call “white lies.” I found myself never wanting to hurt someone’s feelings and often telling them what they wanted to hear. Usually “white lies” aren’t going to have any bad repercussions but it can happen. In reflecting on my experiment I came to realize how if I first realize the lies I tell day in and day out then I can start to move my speech toward truth and charity. It helps to have a smile on your face. Just saying “hi, how you doin?” as you pass someone in the hallway can brighten their day. By this time in my junior year I know most of the people in my class. It doesn’t hurt to say “hey!” or “what’s up?” to them as you walk by in the hall, even if you don’t know them very well. It also helps to call them by name to just let them know that you know they exist. A good attitude is just as contagious as a bad attitude. If you look down to the floor as you walk by in the hallway or act as if your mad at the world, it’s more than likely that people aren’t going to be very excited to talk to you or even be around you. However, if you walk around with a smile on your face and talk to people it’s more than likely that they will do the same back and to others. It spreads. People don’t always tell the truth. Often they exaggerate, tell a “white lie,” or use sarcasm. I’ve found that usually it’s not bad. However in reflecting on it I realize that there are some cases in which someone gets hurt. In some cases exaggeration and sarcasm are the start of a rumor. You could casually remark something jokingly to your friend, have him take it seriously and then before you know it most of the school has found out about it. There are also those cases where the quiet kid who doesn’t handle teasing well gets hurt. I read about school shootings in the paper and don’t usually hear about the class president bringing a gun to school. Sometimes what you intended to be a joke is taken a completely different way. I realize that there are probably times in my life where I have made fun of someone jokingly and without realizing it hurt their feelings. There are times where I need to be more careful about what I’m saying about someone else. There are also times where telling a “white lie” isn’t a good decision. If your best friend comes up to you and asks you advice on what to wear to his date on Friday and you tell him that his favorite shirt would look good. However, really you think it’s the ugliest shirt you’ve ever seen. Now maybe it will all work out or maybe the girl tells one of her friends the next day how ugly his shirt was and somehow it gets back to him. Then you feel like crap. This is one of those times where you just need to tell the truth. But, saying that, shouldn’t you always tell the truth? Or is it not possible to tell the truth? These are questions I need to try and think about throughout the day. Nobody can truly know the truth but I can still strive to get as close to it as I can. Being honest is usually the better option, but if you are saying something you know the other person probably isn’t going to like hearing, just be kind.

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