How trustworthy are you?

 (Just in case you're wondering, the above image is depicting a hand grenade.)

Trust.

Such a small word that encompasses so much.

It colours most of our relationships with our

families, friends, medical practitioners, government officials,

etc. etc. etc.

Trust, although outside of anything to do with any kind

of religion, is in my view still based on faith(belief).

A belief that the people(or government) we trust in will behave in

 certain ways.

Trust however when it boils down to it, rather than being

something solid or certain, I contend is a mere abstract mental attitude.

We trust the postman to deliver our mail, we trust the bank

to look after our money, we trust our doctor to find remedies

and treatments for our illnesses, we trust other drivers to

stop at the red lights, we trust others to adhere to common

courtesies, we trust store clerks not to steal our card details,

etc. etc.

Why? 

Apparently, it's in our ''DNA'' to trust, we are social beings

and already from the get go we begin to socially interact

with others. Our tendency to trust, makes sense from an 

evolutionary perspective, so says some research.

Some even suggest that we trust routinely, reflexively,

and occasionally ''mindlessly''. We especially trust people who

''looks'' a bit like us, or seem to belong to our ''social group''.

Often however, we don't ask ourselves why we trust someone

and mistrust someone else. If someone would ask us: ''why do you

trust ''A'' and not ''B'' when they have the same credentials?'',

sometimes our answer may simply be: ''I don't know really, it's just

a gut feeling.''

Basic trustworthiness in people and institutions around us

as far as I can ascertain, is accumulated through our own 

experiences thereof.

Unfortunately, trust or mistrust, both experiences tend to stick.

Once we have decided on whether a person or ''institution''

(the police, healthcare, employment networks, councils, etc.)

is trustworthy or not, we often don't question our outlook.

Why is a collective trust important in a society?

''Trust is the foundation upon which the legitimacy of

public institutions is built and is crucial in maintaining

social cohesion.''

Why is individual trust important?

Belonging and Love, are some of mankind's most

profound needs, according to Maslow's

Hierarchy (theory) of needs.

Both, require trust as a foundation.

Trust perhaps can be likened to a flexible "glue'' 

that holds things together.

But unlike most glue, ''it can't be bought in a Supermarket''.

Trust, in my view, is not static, it is flexible.

It also is ''organic'', as in: it needs nurturing and TLC.

In my experience, these are some suggestions of

what I believe inspires trust:

Being true to one's word and following through with

actions that solidifies those words.

Respect.

Patience.

Keeping an open mind.

Willingness to listen.

Being supportive.

Transparency.

Never disclosing words spoken in confidence.

These days with Social media, the Dark Net, etc. etc. and the

possibility for anyone to post anything at any time

it can be hard to know who to trust.

Which is reflected in surveys done on peoples trust in

Governments doing their best for their citizens.

According to Edelman's Trust Barometer, it's at an all time low.

Public and Private institutions are run by human beings.

Regardless of position held within those institutions,

it is still a human being with all his/her flaws and biases

who makes the decisions.

We may have little power to influence the level of trustworthiness

in the people who makes decisions ''on our behalf'',

but we do have the power to decide our own

trustworthiness.

''Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be

trusted in important affairs.'' (Albert Einstein)

''Your character holds the key to your trustworthiness.''

(Jeffrey Gitomer)

about the image: ink and water colour on paper edited in Photoshop