Would this be using Bluff or Diplomacy?

[NewJeffCT]

One guy in our group is creating a new PC that he envisions as something of a glib fast-talker - he said not outright lies, and he wouldn't hurt anybody - but, he compared it to a wife asking her husband if this outfit made her look fat, and the hubby's response would be, "No, of course not" even if he really felt it did.

So, did the husband use "Bluff" or "Diplomacy"?

I wasn't sure - it might be a little white lie, but sometimes diplomatic speak involves making somebody feel better about themselves.

 

[Ed Gentry]

According to the definitions providing by the SRD, Diplomacy is really just for situations of negotiation or pleading a case. In other words, it's for situations where the player is trying to convince an NPC and that NPC has (presumably) strong opinions on the topic themselves that are in contrast to the PC's.

Bluff would be for any other situation in which the PC lies.

Your particular example would be a bluff, I think.

YMMV

 

[Folly]

This character would skirt the border of the two skills alot. The specific example you gave would be bluff, followed by diplomacy if the bluff was blundered :-D

 

[mvincent]

One guy in our group is creating a new PC that he envisions as something of a glib fast-talker - he said not outright lies, and he wouldn't hurt anybody - but, he compared it to a wife asking her husband if this outfit made her look fat, and the hubby's response would be, "No, of course not" even if he really felt it did.

So, did the husband use "Bluff" or "Diplomacy"?

Diplomacy

(and if he had more ranks in it, he probably would have been able to phrase his answer more believably).

 

[jaelis]

"I'm going to tell my wife she looks skinny": bluff

"I'm going to try to keep my wife happy": diplomacy

If the goal is to keep your wife happy, use diplomacy. Complimenting her figure might be part of that, and might not... if it isn't relevant to the situation, don't worry about bluffing.

If that particular dress is relevant to the situation and you are trying to get your wife to buy it, then use bluff.

 

[irdeggman]

This character would skirt the border of the two skills alot. The specific example you gave would be bluff, followed by diplomacy if the bluff was blundered :-D

This seems right tome.

Another way to handle it would be a bluff check with a "skill synergy" from diplomacy. Or a circumstance bonus from diplomacy - either method can work and is per the rules.

 

[Artoomis]

Bluff: If successful, the "stretching the truth" bit is accepted at face value.

Diplomacy: Is Bluff fails but Dimplomacy succeeds, then the "lie" (or whatever" is not believed, but brushed off and forgiven. In other word, great Spin Control.

Kind of like the recent blow-up with Hilllary Clinton and the Bosnia "under-fire" things that wasn't.

The initial statement was a Bluff check to be believed.

After that failed (eventually, when proof was shown), then "Diplomacy" is used for Spin Control to get forgiveness.

 

[frankthedm]

Diplomacy now that i think about it. Roll well and you tell her "The outfit does not make you look fat". Roll poory and you tell her "The outfit does not make you look fat, it is the fat that makes you look fat."

 

[darthkilmor]

It depends, Does it make her look fat?
if Yes, draw arrow to Bluff(The target wants to believe you. circumstance modifier -5)
if No, draw arrow to..Languages Known: Common.

 

[mvincent]

I gotta wonder just how many respondents are married. When your wife asks that questions, you are answering diplomatically. Compliments (whether sincere or not) are diplomatic. If you believe you are trying to instead 'bluff' her with compliments, than you're doing it wrong (and you'll probably get into trouble for it eventually). You are giving an 'opinion', and diplomats know when to give the most desired opinion (rather than possibly their own). Conversely, bluffing implies an intent to deceive or mislead (rather than merely being diplomatic).

jaelis gave an excellent example: if you are trying to get your wife to do something with the statement (maybe buy the least expensive dress), then that would likely be a bluff.