"Honey, did you pick up my jacket at the cleaners today?"
"No, I didn't have time."
That was not an honest answer. What I meant was that I didn't fit it in that day because it wasn't high on my priority list. Now, we don't have a fight or even an angry exchange over it. It just isn't the truth. On the other hand, he could have picked it up himself. The truth is we have become so lazy in our use of truth and clarity in our communication that we accept this for ourselves and those around us.
A better way to handle the subject would be:
"Honey, will you be going in the direction of the cleaners today, and if so, would you pick up my jacket? I need it by Friday."
"Actually, it would really be out of my way because my meetings are on the other side of town. Why don't you leave 5 minutes earlier and stop on your way to the office. That would be in the direction of the cleaners."
I don't mean to beat this to death, but simply used this to illlustrate a point. The second conversation is much more meaningful because it actually has useful information in it. I have agreed to things before, and then didn't do them, or pushed myself and was felt pushed to do it.
Clarity and honesty go hand-in-hand to bring about good relationships.