Written by Mikaela Gantz
Billy Joel had it so right all those years ago and we just ignored him. As someone who values honesty and integrity, I find it fascinating that we live in a culture where both appear to be fleeting. From artificial intelligence, to fancy ways to cheat, to a prevalence of delinquency, I think we have lost something integral to being human. In my life I was always taught that honesty and integrity were vital, and that they allowed people to form communities. Friends should be honest, but often they are not.
Honesty has become replaced with conciliating words and gestures that mean absolutely nothing. If we cannot be honest with people, how does trust ever exist? I see people lie and cheat daily, in fact people do it to my face remarkably often. Maybe this is just neurodivergence, but why would you pretend to like someone if you cannot stand them? If the second your friend walks away, you post on yikyak, what is the point in wasting your time talking to them in the first place?
This is not a “we should all get along,” this is a “we’re adults and we should be able to be honest with each other.” If that means you’re left lonely then you’re probably better off. In my book, one honest friend is better than 10 people who will speak poorly of you behind your back. Life is not about who can make the most friends or have the most followers, it’s about the type of person you are. Take my advice, do not spend your time around people who can’t stand you or respect you (or vice-versa), everyone will be better off.
