Every “sure, no problem” that meant “please no” is a small fib that stacks up.

A yes that was meant as a no is a small untruth that looks harmless in the moment. It collects in two places: in what you owe, which grows past what you can deliver, and in a quiet resentment toward people who never knew they were asking too much. Both come from choosing the comfortable second over the honest one.

Buy time instead of agreeing on reflex. Let me check and come back to you works in almost every situation. An answer given an hour later is a real answer rather than a flinch.