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smilingheart1's avatar

Do you agree with this statement concerning trust?

Asked by smilingheart1 (6439points) August 31st, 2011

The statement is “Trust – it’s tough to gain but easy to lose.” Why do you agree or disagree?

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14 Answers

Cruiser's avatar

Very true. Once it’s lost I say it is near impossible to fully gain back.

picante's avatar

Were I allowed to edit the quote, I’d change the “but” to “and.” Trust is tough to gain AND easy to lose.

I have a very trusting nature, so I generally go through life trusting a bit too much. Trust should be earned; it should come after a consistent pattern of behavior demonstrates one’s trustworthiness. Sadly, even with a consistent pattern, one false move, and that trust can be erased. The deficit is tough to overcome once that happens.

I’ve actually been burned so badly within the past year, within a relationship where I trusted blindly and unconditionally, that I’m almost feeling like my trustometer isn’t worth shit.

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

I agree.It takes time to regain once lost and mere words mean nothing.

Blackberry's avatar

Sounds accurate, but there are always exceptions. I like this quote from the comedian and actor John Leguizamo, “Trust is the most important thing if you want you relationship to last. If you can fake that, you’re good…..“Lol.

thorninmud's avatar

This is roughly in agreement with game theory. Game theory suggests that in transactions between parties of unknown trustworthiness, there is good reason to go ahead and trust. When you show someone that you trust them, that will tend to make them want to live up to your trust.

However, game theory also demonstrates that if the other party then screws you over once, then you’re generally better off never trusting therm again.

Eureka's avatar

Yes. Trust is not given. It is earned, and once you lose it, you never really get it back.

Hibernate's avatar

I don’t agree with it. It may be hard to gain but after you gain someone’s trust or someone trust you it’s not like you’ll disappoint him really soon. I believe most try their best not to loose the trust. And it’s not like one can loose trust in you that easy. I hear a lot of people they can’t trust X but they never stay and think why is that or what really happened. I still trust even those who back stabbed me [literally]. I know loyalties change but still.

When every thing is said and done we only need to look for answers to understand what really happened.

I do know sometimes trust can be lost but let’s be serious here. If one doesn’t want to keep trusting in X person he can find a lot of reasons to not trust them anymore.

smilingheart1's avatar

@Eureka, I like the way you put that because I had always heard that statement in relation to respect and trust. The saying that has stuck with me is that “Respect is given; trust is earned.” (in other words respect is afforded to others on the basis of dignity, whereas trust is earned through demonstrations of character)!

athenasgriffin's avatar

I’m in @picante‘s boat as far as trusting goes. My trust used to be pretty easy to gain and pretty hard to lose, but I think life kind of has a way of correcting such imbalances. Yay, nasty ex-boyfriend’s! I would say that now, my trust is both hard to earn and difficult to lose.

stardust's avatar

My trust is earned over time. It takes something significant to break that trust & as @Blackberry said, there’s always an exception to the rule.

Neizvestnaya's avatar

I agree in general. Trust is usually given up front, but once lost then it’s not given as easily in exchange for whatever kinds of words. Trust after a breach is usually earned by degrees.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Yep with everything they said.

dannyc's avatar

Actually, I see trust in a different light.. I trust everyone, till they cannot be trusted.

Coloma's avatar

I agree with several statements here.
Yes, trust is earned in small measure, easily given, easily destroyed, and there are many levels of such, not just the ‘big’ deal breakers like lying and cheating, but also in being able to trust that someone is safe to confront with an issue.

I don’t ‘trust’ anyone that does not have the ability to take responsibility for even little things.

One of the best ‘tests’ of all relationship is to see how someone handles a minor conflict or criticism. If you get denial, deflection and outrage….....run! lol

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