It’s National Honesty Day, No Foolin'

The diametric response to April Fool’s Day is upon us. Can you handle the truth?

It's National Honesty Day

Throughout the day, if someone asks you a question, you are supposed to respond with an honest and straightforward answer.

We have former press secretary to the governor of Maryland, M. Hirsh Goldberg to thank for the idea. He chose the day in response to the falsehood-celebrating first day of the month, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Goldberg was also author of the 1991 book The Book of Lies: History's Greatest Fakes, Frauds, Schemes, and Scams.

Honesty in the workplace

A 2011 Gallup poll rated the honesty of people in various professions as perceived by the public. Nurses, pharmacists and doctors were among the presumably most honest people. Journalists were near the middle. Members of Congress were dead last.

Tell us the truth …

A few days ago, we asked some of our Facebook friends they thought about National Honesty Day. Here are some of the responses we got:

Never ask a question you don't want a truthful answer to! Deborah M. on H-F Patch Facebook

wow, those stats sound like a lie, or every breath someone takes is a lie.... I KNOW FOR A FACT I do not lie 200 times a day....now swearing, that's a different story ;P Renee M. on Beverly-Mt.Greenwood Patch Facebook

Does this apply to the Commander and Chief? Rico S. on Evergeen Park Patch Facebook 

Yes. (Fingers crossed) lol. Julianne C. on Tinley Park Patch Facebook

I'd be fibbing if I said yes. Pat F. on Chicago Heights Patch Facebook

Sure, you may lie once or twice a day, but some people think the earth is only a couple thousand years old. So, they're lying 24/7. Take the average between the two. There you have it. Jesse H. on H-F Patch Facebook

Start with all the horrible politicans in the city of Chicago. Tom M. on Beverly-Mt.Greenwood Patch Facebook

Yeah but ill do it on April 31st...lol Jim B. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook

When I take December and April/March into account - with the combo of young kids and imaginary gift/candy bringers - I probably average that. Jennifer G. on H-F Patch Facebook

I have to laugh at the date. I JUST got an interview for that day!! El K. on New Lenox Patch Facebook

Sure I Always try to be honest every day! Laura D. on H-F Patch Facebook

Sad we need a day to be honest. Do the pants Make your butt look big? Yea, it's huge, go hit the treadmill. Mark B. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook

Do you buy into National Honesty Day? Tell us the truth in the comments below.

Editor's note: In the original article, we said Goldberg's book mentioned the average person lies 200 times per day. That information has been redacted because Goldberg says he has ceased using the figure, as he explained to Patch in an email:

This statistic came from an article I saw in which Dr. Joyce Brothers, the noted psychologist, cited this statistic. I have since questioned this figure myself because it means that a person has to be fibbing in one way or another for nearly 10 times an hour (or every 6 minutes) -- and that's if a person doesn't sleep. Obviously, this statistic is not realistic. So I don't agree with it and do not cite it anymore. 

What an honest guy.