I suppose on consideration what I'd actually say is probably closer to "It's a lovely party, I'm just a little tired." Or, you know, some other formulation that isn't quite untrue. A lot depends on whose asking -- a friend? A total stranger? The hostess? One of my spouses?

I think ... there are social lies and social lies.

I mean, the situation that people were talking about over in mrissa's lj, of condolences - which is an extreme case but therefore sort of useful illustratively - meaning it isn't the same as feeling it.

I'm not always feeling it, but you know, that's my problem, not to be inflicted on someone who's in mourning. If somebody's in trouble the least I can do is express sympathy, and I just need to grit my teeth and do that.