1. Tell the truth. This guideline seems pretty self-explanatory. Say only what you believe to be true based on evidence to support your position. Sometimes we tell partial truths and rationalize that we are “protecting” our listeners or ourselves. For example,

when your friend asks you what you think of her new boyfriend you may offer a noncommittal response that masks your immediate dislike for the guy. You might say, “Well, he certainly appears to like you.” Your friend may interpret your remark as approval rather than as your attempt to spare her feelings. Obviously, this makes it more difficult to correctly understand what you truly believe.
You can tell the truth by adding a comment about something you don’t particularly like about him.