People claim they want honesty but recoil when they actually get it: This Week's Deep thought. 21st November.

Everybody is walking’ around talking about how they just want people to be real with them. Just be honest.” Yes, right! You don’t want honesty. You want honesty the way you want hot sauce just a little dab, not the whole damn bottle.  

You ever notice that? people say, “Keep it real.” But the moment you keep it real, they look at you like you just farted in church!? 

Like, your friend comes out in some outfit, They spin around, “Do I look good?” And you say, “No, you look like a traffic cone with sequins.” Suddenly you’re the villain. They wanted honesty, but they wanted Hallmark honesty. You know, the kind with a bow on it.  

Honesty is like medicine. Nobody likes the taste, but everybody swears they want the cure. Until you give it to them. Then they spit it out, “Why you got be so harsh?” Because the truth doesn’t come sugar coated is the simple reason.

I remember telling a mate once, “You drink too much.” He said, “Why you judging me?” I said, “I am not judging, I’m counting. That’s six beers before noon. That’s not brunch, that’s a cry for help.” He didn’t call me for two months. I guess he found a new friend who lies better.  

And relationships? Oh Lord. That’s where honesty goes to die. You ever try telling your partner the truth? “Do you still find me attractive?” Now, that’s a trap. That’s like walking into a minefield with flip‑flops. You say yes, you’re lying. You say no, you’re sleeping on the couch.  

But we are all guilty, We don’t want honesty either. Somebody asks how we’re doing, we say, “I’m fine.” Fine? You ain’t fine. You’re broke, tired, and your back hurts from pretending to be fine. But you don’t tell the truth, because the truth makes people uncomfortable.  

It seems the only time people want honesty is when it’s about somebody else? Folks love gossip. “Tell me what you really think about her.” Oh, you want honesty now? That’s not honesty, that’s entertainment. That’s Netflix with no subscription.  

And don’t get me started on jobs. Boss says, “We value transparency.” Yes, until you tell him his idea sucks. Then suddenly you’re “not a team player.” Transparency means you can see through the lies, not that you can speak through them.  

See, honesty is dangerous. It’s like fire. Warm if you control it, burns your house down if you don’t. That’s why people flinch. Because deep down, we know the truth is ugly. Truth got pimples, bad breath, and unpaid bills. Lies wear makeup. Lies smell like perfume. Lies pay rent on time.  

So next time somebody says, “Just be honest with me,” I say, “No you don’t. You want the diet version. You want honesty with zero calories. You want honesty that don’t mess up your day.”  

But me? I’m giving you the whole damn bottle. And if it burns, good. That’s how you know it’s real.