But there is something very unsettling to me about the way my friend deals with his clients. We get together every few months, and often when we're driving or walking somewhere, or just hanging out, he'll get a business call on his cell phone and of course I can't help but overhear him. What bothers me, however, is that my friend apparently has absolutely no regard for the truth when it comes to telling his own managers what to say to a client. In pricing negotiations, for instance, I've heard him suggest complete and utter lies, such as "tell the client this is absolutely our biggest possible discount, because the head office forbids us to undercut the rest of the company," or "tell them the hourly rate can't be reduced on this contract because of our prior contractual obligation to this subject matter expert."

Even in casual discussions with his colleagues, when so much as a minor inconvenience is threatened, my friend might make up a totally bogus excuse for dealing with it. To overcome a scheduling conflict I've heard him tell his secretary to call the client and tell them he got delayed on his flight (when he didn't), or that his boss unexpectedly convened a must-attend senior-staff phone meeting (not true).

What bothers me most about these overheard comments is the complete casualness with which my friend bends, twists, and undermines the truth. Not only does he show no remorse whatsoever, but in many cases I've heard him suggest a lie when it really wouldn't have been much more trouble just to explain the truth carefully.

Am I a prude here? Does anyone else get the willies when witnessing such constant prevarication? What should I do? Should I approach my friend and tell him how much his constant fibbing bothers me? Or should I butt out because it's none of my business?

Signed,

Honesty Prude