I’ve had enough of people who insist on lying to “protect” someone’s feelings. My past isn’t lily-white, but I’d like to think I’ve matured somewhat over the years, to the extent that I don’t sit around attempting to rationalize or justify my mistakes. Aside from the fact that it is incredibly patronizing, (and even demeaning!), people who use the “protection” crap are really just trying to protect themselves from the work and effort that honesty requires - and yes, sometimes the pain. These “protectors” are rarely genuinely concerned about hurting the other person - more likely they are worried about losing something in the process, and getting hurt themselves. It’s the quintessential “cake and eat it too” syndrome - and they think they can have it by lying, or creative lies of omission.That's bullshit & I call shenanigans.