When Is It OK to Lie?

This is a thought that crossed my mind while watching my new favourite show 'Lie to Me' (which by the way, if you haven't already, go watch) and I think its a pretty good opener for this. There are lots of situations where the simple black and white answer of 'never' isn't good enough.

It's fine when you're five and your parents are trying to teach you that relationships are built on honesty and that honesty is built from trust etc etc all that moral of the story stuff.

But once you're old enough to be in one of these relationships that they go on about so much be it of a friendly, romantic, professional or otherwise type there are always situations, reasons, people and time that make that 'never' answer fade into the grey, that really make you question this principle in a way you were brought up never to believe could happen.

1. What would you do if you know something about your bests friend's partner that would make them see their partner in a different light? - Do you tell them or do you leave them to find out on their own? - Will they be ok that you didn't tell them if they find out you knew?

2. What would you do if someone asks if an outfit suits them and it really doesn't? Do you change your answer if you can tell they really like it and will be hurt if you say it doesn't? Does it matter who the person that asked you is? - partner, parent, friend etc.

3. What about in more grave situations? Is there still a grey line in matters of crime and protection? What if reporting a crime protects someone else but puts you in danger?