To get through life, most people rely on a little harmless secrecy now and then.

Small white lies, leaving out certain details, or choosing not to reveal everything can sometimes help avoid unnecessary conflict and keep relationships running smoothly.

But once the internet gets involved, those hidden thoughts rarely stay hidden for long.

One Reddit user posed a simple question: “What’s something you would never tell your girlfriend?” The responses from men ranged from completely understandable to surprisingly honest—and a few were downright shocking.

Here are some of the confessions that stood out.

Many admitted they’d never reveal the full truth about their previous relationships.

Others said mentioning an ex is almost guaranteed to create unnecessary drama, so they avoid the topic whenever possible.

Several joked that one subject should never come up under any circumstances: finding their girlfriend’s mother attractive.

And yes—they were very serious about keeping that to themselves.

Another common answer involved appearance. Many men agreed that commenting negatively on a girlfriend’s weight or body is simply asking for trouble and is better left unsaid.

Some confessed they keep unusual hobbies or guilty pleasures completely private, worried they’d be misunderstood or judged.

Others admitted to hiding surprising parts of their past, including experiences and accomplishments they rarely discuss.

Then there were the more troubling confessions.

One man admitted he would never tell his girlfriend that he didn’t actually love her.

That response sparked criticism, with many pointing out that if you don’t love someone, honesty is far kinder than pretending. If the relationship isn’t genuine, ending it is better than living a lie.

In the end, every relationship is different, but one lesson stood out: if you’re spending more time hiding the truth than building trust, it may be time to rethink the relationship.

And one final piece of advice almost everyone could agree on: never compare your current partner to an ex. It rarely ends well.