I can't ever tell if someone is gay. I can't ever tell how old someone is...so I never try to do either. Sometimes I get in a bad spot because of my inability to figure out how old someone is...
But one thing I have plenty of is the ability to spot a liar. I have excellent Lie-dar. Today I used that special skill.
As a teacher at a boarding school I have opportunities to have important sometime life-changing talks with students. Last night during a regular interaction with a student I felt a bit uneasy after he left. Today I checked on his story and determined that yes, he had lied to me. Now this was not a big lie nor was it to get out of any kind of trouble. But it was still a lie and really for no reason.
I called the student in and explained to him that once you lie to someone that you will forever be known to that person as a liar. I told this poor boy that now when he told me anything I will always stop to think if it is the truth or a lie.
Now this might seem pretty harsh. And one might say, "Well he is just a kid" but I believe that honesty is such a basic human need and right that it is important that every time he speaks or contemplates a lie I hope that he pauses and thinks and stops to do what is right
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