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
-
11 modern wedding color schemes
We’ve made picking your palette a breeze! Just find your favorite hue and choose one of the cool combos below.
-
11 ideas for a summer wedding
Get inspired with these twelve ideas for a fantastic, fun summer wedding!
-
Marriage proposals gone wrong
What's worse than getting snubbed while proposing? Having your heart broken in front of countless strangers.
-
25 ways to not have a boring wedding ceremony
Want your I do's to be totally you? From pre-wedding cocktails to Mad Lib vows, here are 25 ways to make your ceremony as unforgettable as your reception.
-
17 rules for summer love
Summer love can be sweet. But it tends to be fast, feverish and often fleeting. In a season where emotions run hot, here are some rules to help avoid heartbreak.
-
5 people who might try to ruin your wedding
We asked brides on TheKnot.com to tell all -- and they did. Here, five of the most likely culprits and advice for how to deal with your drama-causing guests along the way.
-
The best ways to flirt
This short course in flirting will not only teach you how to flirt better but also how to tell when someone is flirting with you—and how to respond. Have fun.
-
10 'Great Gatsby'-inspired wedding details
Gatsby glamour doesn’t have to just live on the big screen! Embrace the trendy (yet timeless) art deco style with sequins, pearls, feathers and geometric patterns. Check out these art deco ideas and achieve the feel of 1920s decadence. By the way, all of these are affordable, except for the $600 hairpiece which is a splurge, but a knockout. Shop the look!
-
Summer love: Is it a fling or the real thing?
Wondering if your summer love will last? Here are 15 signs if your seasonal love is fleeting or for real.
-
The most memorable star-crossed movie couples
Sixteen years after "Titanic’s" release—and 101 years after the historic ship’s notorious sinking—our hearts still go on for star-crossed lovers Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). We rounded up some of our favorite ill-fated, but oh-so-romantic affairs on film, from "Gone with the Wind" to "Moulin Rouge!".
-
How to flirt with your husband
Flirting shouldn't be retired once you've got the ring. We asked relationship expert Harlan Cohen, as well as real husbands, the best way to keep the sparks flying.
-
Your man questions, manswered
When we're annoyed by male behavior, we turn to columnist Aaron Traister. His logic may be strange, but we have to admit, it's pretty helpful. Here, he answers our many questions for guys.
