Who lies more: Men or women?
Plus, the top five lies told by both sexes.
Whether it's a little white lie or lying by omission, we're all guilty of stretching the truth. But according to a study, men are more likely to lie than women—kind of. While men are more likely to lie overall, women are more likely to lie in specific situations.
Women tell an average of 728 lies per year, or approximately two lies a day. Men, on the other hand, tell an average of 1,092 lies a year, or three per day.
More on MSN Living: Most common holiday arguments—and how to avoid them
Commissioned by the Science Museum of central London and carried out by OnePoll, the study included 3,000 adults and also listed the top lies men and women tell the most.
"Lying may seem to be an unavoidable part of human nature, but it's an important part of social interaction," Katie Maggs, museum curator, told the Telegraph. "The jury is still out as to whether quirks like lying are the result of our genes, evolution or upbringing."
More on MSN Living: The biggest rocks of 2012
Eighty-two percent of females in the survey said that lying made them feel guilty, while only 70 percent of men felt the same way. Seventy-five percent of those polled said it was okay to lie in order to spare someone's feelings.
While men lie more often, women are more prone to lie in specific situations, according to a separate study carried about by BMW Financial Services. For example, when it comes to shopping, 39 percent of women feel the need to lie about their purchases compared to only 26 percent of men. Women are also more likely to lie about being busy in order to avoid a phone call. Half of women surveyed admitted to lying in this situation compared to just over a third of men.
Below are the top five lies told by both sexes, according to the men and women surveyed. Let's hope they were telling the truth about their lying.
Top 5 lies men tell:
- I didn't have that much to drink.
- Nothing's wrong; I'm fine.
- I had no signal.
- It wasn't that expensive.
- I'm on my way.
Top 5 lies women tell:
- Nothing's wrong; I'm fine.
- I don't know where it is. I haven't touched it.
- It wasn't that expensive.
- I didn't have that much to drink.
- I've got a headache.
Photo: Maik Kern/Getty Images
Bing: Sesame Street to tackle divorce.
More Sex & Love on MSN Living:
10 places to meet a man for the holidays
7 strategies to divorce-proof marriages
The way to his heart after 1, 5 and 10 years of marriage
What does your engagement ring say about you
love: friendship, dating, sex & marriage
-
25 totally free date ideas
Who says a special outing with the hubby has to empty your wallet? These fresh, fun activities require no cash at all, so work your way down the list.
-
8 body language moves that show him you care
The best method of communication is often nonverbal — your silent actions can have a big impact on the nuances of your relationship. We asked the experts how you can show your honey how much you love him, without making a peep.
-
11 ideas for a summer wedding
Get inspired with these ideas for a fantastic, fun summer wedding!
-
Weirdest wedding gifts ever received
A pet goat and a skeleton nutcracker aren’t gifts you’d typically receive at a birthday party, let alone a wedding! Brides share with us the weirdest things they’ve been gifted by their guests. No-holds-barred. Obviously, wedding registries are created for a reason!
-
Modern day matchmaker: 10 signs he has what it takes to be Your husband
Put an end to casual connections and date the man you're meant to be with — like forever — with this guide from Modern Day Matchmaker Paul Carrick Brunson.
-
Wedding songs of the famous
When these big names get married, they opt for songs that bring the same star quality to the show.
-
20 things you never knew about kissing
A kiss is just a kiss—or is it? We decided to see what researchers, anthropologists and scholars had to say about kissing. Here’s what we found out.
-
25 best wedding photo bombs on Pinterest
Welcome to the world of wedding photo bombs, where there’s always one guest or wedding crasher who can’t keep from jumping in front of the camera.
-
The history of LGBT Pride Month
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride has been growing steadily for more than 40 years. Pride month officially kicks off in June, so we are taking a look at how the LGBT community has evolved.
-
9 things grooms worry about before their wedding day
Brides aren’t the only ones with wedding-day worries. We asked groomsmen to dish on what the groom freaks out about when the bride isn’t looking.
-
10 things men hate to hear in bed
These phrases drive guys crazy — and not in a good way. We got real men to tell us what they don't want to hear between the sheets, ever.
-
The surprising reasons you're not in the mood
If you can't pinpoint the last time you made the first move — or didn't resist when your hubby did, these libido killers may be to blame. Here's how to fight them off.
