The following is an answer and/or comment by inhahe aka ColorStorm (inhahe.com - myriachromat.wordpress.com).

Matt B: Are you more of an honest asshole or a compulsive liar?

tit: I certainly try to be honest with people (when it's necessary to the relationship. e.g., If my professor asks me how I am he doesn't need to hear about all my personal problems) but I don't see the value in being brutally honest, at least in personal relationships. I try to be honest and nice, whenever possible. I know lots of people love the idea of brutal honesty, but I don't. I don't like the idea of anything brutal, really

ColorStorm: Brutal honesty is overrated. You can say what you need to say with love/delicacy/sensitivity.

ColorStorm: brutal honesty is just that, like you said, brutal, it lacks tact, it's insensitive.. yet some people consider it a virtue, what's the point of talking if

ColorStorm: you're just going hurt someone, it's like doing surgery with a machete

ColorStorm: i mean why just mouth off whatever you think as if it's golden

ColorStorm: your coarse thoughts aren't worth that much that people need to hear them without any kind of reservation

ColorStorm: i just don't understand the mentality

ColorStorm: people are weird

Edit: Here’s something a very wise man I once knew wrote:

"Authenticity can easily turn into emotional volatility if it isn't balanced with emotional safety and healthy communication skills."
"Client asked me:
"Isn't it healthy to be authentic the way I was with [him/her]?"
Here’s what I believe:
Yes, authenticity is essential. But if your version of authenticity causes others to lose trust in you, to feel it's safer to distance themselves rather than come closer, then the authenticity is out of balance. (Even more so when authenticity is just a cover for criticism & covert blame)
Being authentic doesn’t mean saying everything that’s on your mind or heart in any way you choose. Emotionally healthy communication is about connection. It’s about helping someone understand you, and to feel with you. If your words create disconnection, distance or fear, then they’re not aligned with the values of emotionally healthy connection.
Many people are learning to share their truth and speak up more openly. That's important works and it matters. But there's a deeper level to that work: learning how to share truth and share feelings in a way that’s emotionally regulated, clear, and safe. That's where the deeper intimacy begins.
Some say, "It’s not your responsibility how others receive your words.” Sure, there’s some truth there. But that idea, taken too far, becomes destructive. If you don't care how your partner receives your truth, if you refuse to take any responsibility for the impact of your communication, you will never build emotional safety. And without emotional safety, there is no relationship. Just two people defending their truth, alone yet in the same room.
If this resonates and you'd like to go deeper into this kind of work, you’re welcome to check out one of my webinars on this topic, or reach out about working together 1:1. You can do that here: https://linktr.ee/SerdarHararovich"