Generation games
Our columnist is the first to admit that he is prone to exaggeration. But how acceptable is it to embellish the truth?
by MARK PALMER
ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN COLLINS
We all exaggerate – but some of us exaggerate more than others. I belong firmly to the prolific exaggeration wing and would proffer that most people of a certain age are part of that fraternity too.
Embroidering the truth from many years ago is one of life’s perks as we reach our later years. Back in the mists of time, I always felt like an underachiever after getting two Cs and a D in my A-levels but, miraculously, those grades have improved considerably over the years. If asked, I now say I was awarded two As and a B. Similarly, a few weeks ago I found myself perched on wooden slats in a hotel sauna when an athletic-looking young American from Boston walked in and sat down next to me. We got chatting. At university, he played football to a high level and one of the reasons he likes coming to Britain is that it gives him a chance to watch a live Premiership game. ‘Did you play much when you were younger?’ he asked. ‘Yes, I did. Quite a lot, actually,’ I told him. ‘Semi-professional.’