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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/18/advice-columns-betrayal-lying

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Stories about betrayal: when have you lied and gotten away with it? Stories about betrayal: when have you lied and gotten away with it?
(2 months later)
Ask yourself: when you browse through any variety of the Agony Aunts: Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Savage Love or Sexual Healing, what are you most interested in? The sobering words of wisdom? Or the cry for help?Ask yourself: when you browse through any variety of the Agony Aunts: Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Savage Love or Sexual Healing, what are you most interested in? The sobering words of wisdom? Or the cry for help?
For any number of reasons (perhaps we identify with the topic, or enjoy a little voyeurism) the latter is what keeps us enthralled. It's people's experiences we're interested in, much more than the so-called "expertise". After all, it's so easy to give advice to others – and tell them what to do.For any number of reasons (perhaps we identify with the topic, or enjoy a little voyeurism) the latter is what keeps us enthralled. It's people's experiences we're interested in, much more than the so-called "expertise". After all, it's so easy to give advice to others – and tell them what to do.
Over the next few weeks, we're going to experiment with the traditional advice column, focusing especially on the human experience part of the equation.Over the next few weeks, we're going to experiment with the traditional advice column, focusing especially on the human experience part of the equation.
We'll pick a topic (related to a theme in the news) and ask you to share how you've dealt with a related situation. We're not going to separate problem from solution. We're also not going to separate the solution from circumstance. Rather, we want to know what happened and how you dealt with it. We also want to know why you did what you did, and whether you've got any lingering doubts or regrets.We'll pick a topic (related to a theme in the news) and ask you to share how you've dealt with a related situation. We're not going to separate problem from solution. We're also not going to separate the solution from circumstance. Rather, we want to know what happened and how you dealt with it. We also want to know why you did what you did, and whether you've got any lingering doubts or regrets.
So often, advice columns pass off advice from high, as if there's only one way to respond, but we think life is more nuanced and varied than that. The most introspective and detailed tales – as well as the most honest and compelling – will be published on the Guardian. You needn't reveal yourself entirely though! We'll publish stories under pseudonyms or just your first name.So often, advice columns pass off advice from high, as if there's only one way to respond, but we think life is more nuanced and varied than that. The most introspective and detailed tales – as well as the most honest and compelling – will be published on the Guardian. You needn't reveal yourself entirely though! We'll publish stories under pseudonyms or just your first name.
But that's not all.But that's not all.
While we're at it, we're going to tackle another problem we have with advice columns – and that's how finite they are. There's no opportunity to ask follow up questions, to ask for additional context or information. One of the caveats of having your perspective published is that you agree to answer questions from Guardian readers in the comments. Kind of like this.While we're at it, we're going to tackle another problem we have with advice columns – and that's how finite they are. There's no opportunity to ask follow up questions, to ask for additional context or information. One of the caveats of having your perspective published is that you agree to answer questions from Guardian readers in the comments. Kind of like this.
OK. Enough explaining.OK. Enough explaining.
This week's topic: lying (and getting away with it) This week's topic: lying (and getting away with it)
Could Anthony Weiner, James Clapper and Bill Clinton learn something from you? Tell us about a lie you've gotten away with – that up until now hasn't been discovered. Whether you betrayed a friend, family member or colleague, tell us about how you mislead them and whether or not the secret has weighed on you ever since, or if you've found a way to get over it.Could Anthony Weiner, James Clapper and Bill Clinton learn something from you? Tell us about a lie you've gotten away with – that up until now hasn't been discovered. Whether you betrayed a friend, family member or colleague, tell us about how you mislead them and whether or not the secret has weighed on you ever since, or if you've found a way to get over it.
Do you worry about getting caught? Do you feel guilty about what you've said – or done? Or is the occasional lie just a (necessary) part of your life? What would happen if you were busted? Do you tolerate occasional lies by friends or family, too? This is your time to confess – so get it off your chest.Do you worry about getting caught? Do you feel guilty about what you've said – or done? Or is the occasional lie just a (necessary) part of your life? What would happen if you were busted? Do you tolerate occasional lies by friends or family, too? This is your time to confess – so get it off your chest.
To make sure you hit all the high notes:To make sure you hit all the high notes:
• Detail. We're interested in the story, remember. So write to us as though you were writing to a friend. Explain the situation and what happened, step by step.• Detail. We're interested in the story, remember. So write to us as though you were writing to a friend. Explain the situation and what happened, step by step.
• If you have lingering questions about how you handled your situation, include them. We'll invite Guardian readers to respond and you can join in the discussion in the comments.• If you have lingering questions about how you handled your situation, include them. We'll invite Guardian readers to respond and you can join in the discussion in the comments.
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