# Faking Agreement **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 28, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927 "2018-06-28T16:32:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/1 "2018-06-28T16:32:57Z")
What is it called when someone pretends to agree with you using this tactic: A-"Although plan #1 has a couple good points, I support Plan #2 because it is better. B-“I agree with you that plan #1 is the good plan” ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/2 "2018-06-28T16:34:27Z")
I’m inclined to call it diplomacy. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/3 "2018-06-28T16:45:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What is it called when someone pretends to agree with you using this tactic: > > A-"Although plan #1 has a couple good points, I support Plan #2 because it is better. > B-“I agree with you that plan #1 is the good plan” Unfortunately, it’s called lying. I don’t think there’s a nice word for it. Intentional misrepresentation of your point of view, maybe? But IMO it’s not out of line to call it lying. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/4 "2018-06-28T16:49:22Z")
A: That’s nuts, I don’t agree with that! B: Well then, would you agree that Paris is the capital of France? A: Um, yes? B: Good, then we’re back in agreement. Plan #1 it is! (adapted from Kids in the Hall) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/5 "2018-06-28T17:08:36Z")
I’d call it “The Reverse Straw Man.” ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/6 "2018-06-28T18:02:33Z")
I don’t know but **anomalous1** did it to me, at least partially, in the trolls thread. I didn’t bother trying to correct him because clearly he wasn’t interested in what I really said, and other people can read for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faking-agreement/816927/7 "2018-06-28T20:42:00Z")
There is a bright line distinction between accurate statements that are combined with misdirection and knowingly inaccurate statements. The latter are called lies. Characterizations of the former vary. Regardless, there is a distinction. As for the OP, I perceived no intent to deceive on a first (and second) reading. I would call that tactic railroading, possibly combined with a little bluster. Admittedly, railroading is a more general concept. ETA: Better: “Putting words in someone’s mouth.”