One of the parts of Diplomacy that most fascinates me is when to tell the truth, and when do you bend it a bit, or for those who can do it well, when do you outright lie. For myself I start every game with the intention of telling the truth all the time. At some point I usually have to bend it, omit something, or (yes even me once in a while) outright lie. What is more common? Do you aim to lie or do you aim to make solid long term friends?

I tend to react less favorably to those who seem more demanding. If you need someone to help you shouldn't you show them how it would benefit them?

I am a statistics junky so to me hanging in a game even as a puppet of someone who otherwise has beaten me, gets me less of a rating loss than just giving up. Is that an unusual viewpoint?

My first win on DC was with the help of a player with whom I developed an extremely trusting alliance with. In the end I was bigger and I use his vulnerability and trust to win in one season (gaining a bunch of his undefended SCs). The game was a bit one sided in that with our cooperation, few others could stand against us. The down side was that our trust led to his loss. The nobler thing to have done might have been to ask for a two way draw, but this is a game to win right?

Well these are just a few thoughts to ponder and reply to if you wish.