This line from ‘Double Star’ by Robert Heinlein has stuck with me for decades.
Someone asks the hero for his solemn vow that he won’t divulge a secret. The hero says that if his simple promise isn’t good enough, what makes a solemn vow any better?
Yes, that’s exactly it in my opinion. You either know can trust the word of someone or you know you can’t. Swearing on your mother life has exactly as much meaning as giving someone the pinky promise.
My wife and I use the pinky promise as a sacred oath and sometimes an investigative tool.
If we’re not okay, or we’re worried the other is putting on a face to get through a moment without being honest, the pinky is used as a “I won’t ask again, just promise me you’re alright, or will be alright, and we’re good” and that kicks off a conversation or she confirms that she’s fine and the tone is residual from another frustration.
Pinky is sacred, if my wife lied on a pinky promise, it would breach our deepest marital trust.
