How can you tell if a new acquaintance or partner is trustworthy? Although it takes a long time to truly get to know a person, these 12 attributes and behaviors signal that they’re a person who can be trusted.
1. They keep their word.
Whether they’re maintaining confidentiality about sensitive information that you’ve told them, respecting an agreement you’ve made, or standing by someone they’ve promised to support, they keep their promises. Even if they aren’t feeling well or something else comes up in their life, they show that their word is their bond.
2. They’re reliable.
When they tell you that they’re going to do something, they honor their word. Whether it’s showing up at the airport at 3 am to pick you up, or remembering to water your plants when you’re away, they’ll do it. Basically, they prove that they’re dependable to a fault.
3. They respect your space and belongings.
Whereas some people will waltz into your place and eat stuff from your kitchen without asking, a trustworthy person will ask to be invited in and won’t even touch your things without making sure it’s okay. They respect others and their belongings and as such, won’t behave inappropriately.
4. They return borrowed items promptly (and in good condition).
If you lend your car to a friend and they give it back washed and full of gas, that’s a huge sign that this person is trustworthy. The same goes if you lend a book to a friend and it gets damaged, and they replace it with a new copy.
5. They respect your personal boundaries.
Instead of mocking you for your personal ethics or life choices, this person accepts and supports them without hesitation. You don’t eat meat? They’ll have amazing vegan options at their annual BBQ. You’re not a hugger? They’ll offer a fist-bump or handshake instead to ensure that you feel comfortable with them.
6. They take accountability for their missteps.
Whereas some people blame everyone else for their transgressions, a trustworthy person won’t just own up to their mistakes—they’ll put sincere effort into making it up to the one they’ve wronged. You can trust a person who’s honest about how they messed up instead of trying to cover it up.
7. They open up to you about their own struggles.
If a person risks opening up to you about things they’re struggling with (or have had difficulty with in the past), they’re showing you that they trust you with personal details. As such, you have a pretty solid idea that you can trust them to keep your info confidential in turn.
8. They show their great integrity via small gestures.
If they borrow a single dollar from you, they’ll make a point of repaying it as quickly as possible, or will reciprocate asap if you surprise them with a drink or a snack. The speed and sincerity with which a person returns small favors speaks volumes about their character.
9. They don’t gossip to you about others.
This is in the same vein of “if they cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you”—a person who tells you other people’s secrets will undoubtedly share yours with others in turn. In contrast, a person who keeps others’ information to themselves will also safeguard what you share with them in confidence.
10. They don’t boast about achievements in rule-breaking.
If someone smirks and tells stories about how they cheated on their taxes, evaded punishment for breaking a law, or shows up with a new watch and won’t tell you where they got it, those are huge red flags. In contrast, someone who’s honest about their dealings shows their trustworthy nature.
11. They protect those who are vulnerable, rather than taking advantage of situations.
If someone passes out drunk at a party, does this person sit with them and ensure that they drink water, rather than drawing on them and laughing? Similarly, if someone’s in a crisis, does this person help them without any goal of reciprocity? Benevolence without expectation of reward is a trustworthy trait.
12. Animals love them.
This is one of the most important things to look for because animals are startlingly intuitive when it comes to people’s character. If a dog or a horse naturally gravitates towards this person, especially with affection, they’re highly likely to be trustworthy. Beware those whom animals dislike or get aggressive towards immediately.
