Honestly, can the Chinese just try to fib once in a while?

Who coined the phrase "Honesty is always the best policy"? Maybe it was Confucius. It wouldn't surprise me as every Chinese person seems to strictly adhere to the principle. Honesty is not always the best policy. In some situations, in fact, it is the worst policy or at least a distant second to the policy of "keeping your big mouth shut".

After my mother stepped off the plane in Beijing and we were on our way home in the taxi, I took the opportunity to give her the briefing all expats no doubt give their loved ones in this situation.

"First, mother, don't look at how the taxi driver is driving. Look out the window and admire the buildings and bridges (as much as you can on the Jichang airport expressway), but just don't look at the traffic," I told her. She immediately looked at the traffic.