Fairer sex tell fewer fibs than their men

Common lies told by men included 'this will be my last pint', the survey found. File photo / Herald on Sunday

Men lie twice as often as women, fibbing an average six times a day to their partners, boss and work colleagues, while women told just three, according to a new study.

Common porkies told by men included "This will be my last pint," and perennial favourite "No, your bum doesn't look big in that."

According to overseas reports, the poll of 2000 people in Britain revealed the most common lie was the same for both sexes: "Nothing's wrong, I'm fine".

But Victoria University senior lecturer in psychology Marc Wilson said you can't always trust how much a liar says they lie. Women were less likely to admit to it than men, he said.

His online study of 4000 New Zealanders, showed women told more white lies.

"Men are happier to admit they engage in self-promotion, lying to make themselves look better," Wilson said.

And there's no reason to feel bad about stretching the truth, lies serve an important purpose.

"It's a social lubricant because it helps smooth over some of the cracks in our every-day interactions," he said.

Men lied about missing phone calls and being stuck in traffic, while women were more likely to be evasive about their spending habits. Both sexes were prone to playing down how much they'd had to drink.

But we're not really fooling anyone: four fifths of those polled said they could tell when their partner fibbed.

And more than half admitted to being caught stretching the truth.

And think again the next time a colleague says it's "nice to see you" - it was the most popular workplace porkie.

TOP 10 LIES

Men

1. Nothing's wrong, I'm fine
2. This will be my last pint
3. No, your bum doesn't look big in that
4. I had no signal
5. My battery died
6. Sorry, I missed your call
7. I didn't have that much to drink
8. I'm on my way
9. It wasn't that expensive
10. I'm stuck in traffic

Women

1. Nothing's wrong, I'm fine
2. Oh, this isn't new, I've had it ages
3. It wasn't that expensive
4. It was in the sale
5. I'm on my way
6. I don't know where it is, I haven't touched it
7. I didn't have that much to drink
8. I've got a headache
9. No, I didn't throw it away
10. Sorry, I missed your call