LITTLE white lies are part of everyday life and women are no less susceptible than men to twisting the truth.

It can help with everything from avoiding unwanted dates to appearing delighted with an unwanted Christmas present.

But it appears that dishonesty runs much deeper among British females, with a study finding that 94 per cent lie regularly.

Only six per cent of the 5,000 women questioned claimed solely to tell the truth.

An astonishing three quarters admitted to telling a 'big life changing lie', such as pretending to be on the Pill.

Almost half of those who took part In the National Scruples and Lies quiz also said that if they became pregnant through an affair they might tell their steady partner the child was his.

Common admissions include faking an orgasm - 48 per cent admitted doing this - and letting on that they weigh less than they do (51 per cent).

A startling 88 per cent admitted feigning delight at Christmas presents, while 60 per cent had called in sick because of a hangover.

Other seasonal lies include blaming the postman for a 'missing' Christmas card (51 per cent), and passing unwanted presents on to other people (62 per cent).

A third exaggerate their salaries or lie about their backgrounds.

The survey also revealed that 50 per cent of women will take an unofficial day off in December for last-minute shopping.

Most women 'don't feel bad at all' about their white lies, the survey says.

'Women lie because they're afraid to tell the truth,' said psychologist Susan Guilliam.

'They're scared of hurting people, scared of failing and of being criticised. Women are expected to fulfil expectations, and to get what they want in life they feel they have to gloss over the truth.'

A quarter of those questioned said they would flirt with their boss at the office Christmas party to get on.
But Mrs Guilliam warned: 'The sort of moral code women now follow could lead to disaster the backlash on behaviour like sleeping with the boss will be huge.'

The average age of the respondents for the quiz, commissioned by That's Life! magazine, was 38.

Its editor, Jo Checkley, said: 'Women find it a struggle to get through the day without telling little white lies, but much of it is down to political correctness.

'Just imagine the consequences if women always told the truth. They would say things Like, "Yes, you do look fat in that dress"; "The bus wasn't late, I just couldn't be bothered to get out of bed"; "You're the worst lover I've ever had"; or "I'm not listening to you because you bore me to death".

'You wouldn't have a friend left in the world.

'But British scruples do seem to be going down the plughole and women no longer seem to have a clear-cut idea of what is normal.'
 

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