My boyfriend lies about small things - is there a future in this relationship?

[Ivy]

I have known my boyfriend for almost a year now and he is 25 and I'm 23. In the beginning, I caught him lying about insignificant things; for example, he lied about not having a Facebook when we first met, then he mentioned a week later that he had a profile and I was like, "Wait, didn't you say you didn't have Facebook?" and he casually said, "I did? I don't remember."

Another instance is when I asked him why he never seriously dated in college. He said it was because he was poor in college and didn't have money to take out girls, so he had a lot of relationships with girls where it was purely sexual. Months later, on a different topic, he mentioned how he had a lot of money in college because he had a thriving business. When I called him out on what he said prior, he didn't recall and didn't have a reason as to why he lied. We later concluded it was because he didn't want me to know he was "well off". I was still bothered by it because originally I asked him why he didn't date, which had nothing to do with how much money he had. He chose to bring up the topic of money himself and lied about it, at that.

Among these two, there were also little insignificant lies that I have long forgotten. After a serious discussion, we agreed that if he ever lied to me again, no matter how big or small, this relationship would not work. This was around late winter/early spring of this year.

More recently, I was chatting with him online and he mentioned something and I asked him where he learned it. He said he learned in class in college and I asked what class because I had taken similar classes and never learned what he mentioned. He then said, "Fine. I learned it on "Entourage," the show." I asked him why he lied and he said he didn't know, it was a brain fart. After a long discussion, he said I was overreacting over something so small, that I was being stupid. He even said that he's having serious doubts in being in a relationship with someone who has as heavy of trust issues as I.

I told him that he wasn't helping to remedy the problem or give me a peace of mind. If he sincerely apologized and seemed genuine, and promised he wouldn't do it again, it would probably help. Instead he makes me feel like I'm the one at fault and blowing things out of proportion. He says, "It's not like I lied about cheating on you or something." I told him I don't care about what he lies about, it's the fact that he lies at all. If he lies about stupid things, what else could he be lying about? It makes me question his word in the past, current, and future; and he doesn't understand why it's a big problem if it's not a big lie, and I don't know how to help him understand.

In the end, he said he was going to bed and we would finish the discussion later. I don't know what to do now. Do I hold to our original agreement and break things off? Or stay? Is it worth it to stay? Is there even a future with someone who lies about small things and doesn't see the significance and understand how much it upsets me? If I stay, is there a possible way to solve this? Possible compromises?

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I forgot to mention the reason why he lied about not having a Facebook was because he felt that since we had just met (we met online), he didn't feel it was necessary in sharing something so personal with me.
He claims that he's never lied about big things and he never will, but he can't promise the same for little things. I asked if he lies out of habit and he said no. He said he just can't guarantee that he won't say something stupid or have another brain fart and say something that doesn't quite make sense. I don't know if this makes me feel any better though...

[jefferson]

He sounds like a lieing sack of shittaki mushrooms. get out

[Graham S]

It is impossible to love a man you cannot trust .... Move on while you can !!

[Ellie]

I would personally break things off. It's exhausting not being able to trust the person you're with, especially when every word out of their mouth could be a lie. It doesn't matter that the lies are insignificant, because he could be lying about the important things too. He has a problem, and it's not really up to you to sort it out for him. Honestly, you don't even necessarily know who he really is. You could stay and he could get counseling to figure out the problem, but it seems ingrained to the point that I'm not sure he can really change it. Unless he has some sort of brain damage or severe memory loss, there's no excuse for what he does. You probably won't ever feel you can trust him, and that doesn't work in a relationship.

[StuntMan]

There are many guys out there who will love you for who you are and not lie to you. Find someone who will do that Good Luck!

[yyyyzz (wise)]

Get rid of him. You only caught him in small lies. The big ones he is hiding very well. A habitual liar, will never chance without a damn good reason, to. Apparently you are not it.
Peace.

[Arya]

He honestly sounds like a compulsive liar. None of his lies were actually a huge deal, but there are a lot of them, and he lies for absolutely no reason. It's not like you would have been mad at him for any of that stuff. It sounds to me like he might need some therapy. But also, you should not be in a relationship with someone whom you cannot trust. I suggest you talk to him face to face about this issue. Maybe suggest to him that he seek some professional advice. If he honestly does not know why he tells all these little lies then it may be something more deeply rooted. If he doesn't want to take your advice and he resists confrontation about this issue then you may need to get out of the relationship. If he takes your advice then at least you know that he cares enough about you to face this issue, if not, well then, you can't love someone you cannot trust, can you?

[Randy]

I understand how you feel . Lying is not good . Small lies might get bigger in the time to come . Also In relationships small fights keep happening . You both need to meet up and discuss this between yourself . If your guy really loves you he will agree to improving himself instead of shifting the blame of the fights you both are having because of him not being honest with you . I don't know how well you know your boyfriend but try to get to know him better and find out why he is lying like this about so many things though they are small .Try to find is it just his habit to lie or it is something else entirely .. He might be lying to hide something ... usually no one lies just like that without any reason . There is always something behind a lie .

[The Human Brain]

SIZE doesn't matter