Don't Say It That Way

I'm going to be honest with you. No. Do NOT say it that way.

When you use that phrase in a conversation my first instinct is to not believe you. It's been my experience that people who are honest do not need to say:

• Let me be honest with you...
• To be completely honest...
• I'm going to be honest...
• To tell the truth...

I think what most people mean to say is, "I'm not going to hold anything back, here is the whole of what I really think." or "I'm going to lay all my cards on the table." You're trying to convey that what you are about to say is more open than you have been previously.

...or you're going to lie and you're using the "honesty" jargon as a diversion to trick your audience.

Don't confuse discretion with being dishonest. Let's be the kind of honest people that are always honest and do not need to clarify when they are really telling the truth. Make your choice and say what you mean.