The way I see it, you shouldn't share information unless you know that it is true. For example, while talking with a group of friends about a future dinner date, I recommended a favorite place of mine. I hadn't been there for awhile because it is kind of far from my house. One of the group mentioned that the restaurant was not only closed down, but the building had been torn down, as well. Imagine my surprise when I drove past it they other day. It was not only still standing, it was open and obviously full of customers judging by the crowded parking lot. Did my friend lie about it? No. She heard something from someone and passed it on without checking it out.

These kinds of things happen all the time. It really makes it hard to weed through the goods and the bads that you hear about different businesses. I have known people who totally destroy a place in their personal review, but when asked for more details, start acting sketchy as if they've never really experienced the place. It makes me nervous to think that some people are total followers. They form their opinions based upon those of others. I am different. I will listen to your review, but I will need to visit the place and experience it for myself before I pass judgement.

This sort of leads me into thinking about reviews on the Internet. I have learned that in order to get a fairly accurate idea of a place, you have to play with the reviews that you read. I use this method: 1) Take all the reviews that are glowing about how it is the best thing ever and throw them out. 2) Take all the reviews that are super negative about how it is the worst thing ever and throw them out. 3) Read all of the "middle of the road" reviews. They will have some bad points and good points. Decide how those stack up and make your own judgement call about taking a chance on the place. I have done this many times. I have yet to visit a place that lives up to the hyperpositive or hypernegative reviews. They usually turn out to be okay places that shine in some areas and aren't quite up to par in others. (ie: great food with slow service, or okay food with wonderful service)

Now, back to my title. That phrase is something my mother used to say whenever I tried to get out of something I had done wrong. Here's a historically true example: Mom: Jimmie, where did you get the pecans? Me: I got them from the tree by Mr. Henry's house. Mom: Didn't I tell you not to take pecans from other people's yards? Me: Yes, Ma'am. But someone told me it was okay with Mr. Henry if I took some of his. Mom: Did Mr. Henry tell you it was okay? Me: No, but someone did. Mom: And, who was that, Jimmie? Me: I don't remember. Mom: Uh huh. Well, "someone told me" is half a lie. Now you take these pecans and give them to Mr. Henry. Tell him you took them from his yard without permission. Tell him that you are sorry.

So, the way I see it, you shouldn't believe something someone tells you without checking it out. Even if you trust that person and know they are telling you what they believe is true, you oughta ask some questions.