These statements aren't really lies. They are ways to indicate that you aren't trying to start a fight with the bad news you have. Try not using them for a week

These statements aren't really lies. They are ways to indicate that you aren't trying to start a fight with the bad news you have. Try not using them for a week, without being a passive aggressive non-confrontationalist. With winning phrases like "Your feet smell", "You aren't up to it", and "I don't like those black kids who are picking on my kid at school" you might re-consider the value of these statements.