Yes, I’d be willing to lie to surprise someone.
I don’t really like surprises. So, I’d want to be sure the person I’m surprising likes them.
I’ve planned two “big” surprises for two different people. One had surprised me in the past, and one had said several times they wanted to be surprised. I regret both. Nothing disasterous happened, but it didn’t work out exactly how I had hoped. In fact, nothing negative happened, but it just wasn’t the over-the-top I had hoped for. Especially, the person who always said they wanted to be surprised. I feel like he liked the idea of it, but wasn’t in touch with his reality of how the experience would be. He’s still like that about several things, not just surprises.
Little things like a surprise gift or date I don’t think are a big deal at all if it’s just between two people, and not exposing the surprised person to having some sort of obligation to multiple people where they are put on the spot. Although, I have to say I don’t even like people to bring me flowers if they visit my house. Now, I have to deal with the flowers. I have a enough to deal with. I do appreciate the thought, I just don’t want them.
I guess my personal theme is don’t surprise me with adding work to my day. I’m going to include having to fake being happy as work. Since I feel this way personally, I’m loathe to inflict an uncomfortable position onto someone else.