DEAR ABBY: If someone tells a white lie about something trivial, is it because he/she is lazy and wants to avoid conflict? Should the lie be ignored or should I be concerned about trust? -- SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
DEAR SEARCHING: People tell white lies all the time. Sometimes it's done to avoid conflict, other times it's an attempt to be polite. When someone asks, "How are you?" and you respond, "Fine, thanks" instead of describing your headache or backache, that's a form of white lie. You should worry only if you catch someone in a big, bald-faced act of prevarication. Election years are filled with exaggerations and outright lies, so hang onto your hat.