Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Come to think of it, my father was very cynical and always thought everyone was out to get something. However, that is how he lived and how he was always out for the same. Projection?
Reminds me of my cat.
One bad winter about 8 years ago I found him in an alley and decided I would keep him. For a long time he didn't trust me, thought I was going to do him in, so he hid whenever he heard me coming. Gradually he began to trust me and now he won't leave me alone.
Now I can't trust him, he steals from me.
I heated up one of those turkey TV dinners and was letting it cool on the counter while I was watching the news in the living room. I got up to check on it and he came running out of the kitchen and ran under the sofa.
I spotted drops of turkey gravy on the counter and noticed a slab of turkey was missing. Another time I poured some cereal and milk into a bowl at the table but before I could eat it my neighbor knocked on my door.
I had to go help him with something and when I got back I remembered my cereal. The cat was just hopping off the table with milk dripping from his chin. I saw a cat hair floating in the bowl and lost my appetite for cereal.
I am not blindly trusting but I also am not always immediately suspicious of everyone. It all depends on the circumstance.
My mother was one who always suspected the worst of everyone. Even when someone would try to do something nice for her in her later years, she was always looking for the dark side. I'm glad that I did not inherit that trait from her.
I was about to write the same , not blindly trusting nor immediately suspicious but lean toward cautious . Take stuff with a grain of salt until either a situation or person sends up a few red flags or earns my trust.
Also like you I was related to someone who was so suspicious she saw the worst in everyone and it ruined her life and relationships.
Where I live, we had people saving bottle caps thinking people would get free dialysis. Couldn't believe how many fell for it and then got mad at the people that told them it wasn't true.
I'd like to think I'm discerning rather than suspicious or gullible. But I admit I have been both at times.
I do notice I am less trusting as I age. I think the reason is that experience has taught me that the reassurances of youth don't always hold true.
I still don't want to label anyone as untrustworthy until they have proved to be so. But I cover my own back just in case. No sense giving someone an opportunity.
Alias Finn, I always enjoy your posts. I tell my cats, "I'm the boss and you have to act like it at least until I turn my back." We all know the score. LOL
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
