Both my husband and I practice a strict "no lies" policy. Not even in jest. We only would resort to the whole "beating around the bush" bit when faced with a situation where telling "the whole truth and nothing but the truth" will clearly cause more evil or harm to another(yes there are certainly situations like this and even in Islam lying is permissable when it can bring about peace and stop an evil). Alhamdullilah I can say it makes life much easier and happier too!