We’ve all heard the saying, “innocent until proven guilty,” but in real life, it’s not always that simple.
Being kind and open-minded is generally a good thing, but sometimes your willingness to see the best in people can lead you down a dodgy path. It’s a bit like walking a tightrope between being a decent human and being a right mug. Here are some occasions when giving someone the benefit of the doubt might not be the smartest move.
1. You keep lending money to a mate who never pays you back.
Your friend swears they’ll pay you back next week, but next week never seems to come. You keep giving them the benefit of the doubt because, well, they’re your friend. But before you know it, you’re out of pocket and feeling like a cash machine. It’s not just about the money, either. This situation can put a real strain on your friendship as a whole.
2. You brush off your partner’s consistent lateness as “just their personality”.
Your partner is always running late, and you’ve convinced yourself it’s just because they’re a free spirit. In reality, it’s disrespectful and shows a lack of consideration for your time and feelings. By continually excusing this behaviour, you’re not only setting yourself up for frustration, but you’re also enabling a habit that could cause problems in other areas of their life.
3. You ignore red flags in a new relationship because “they seem nice”.
When you’re smitten with someone new, it’s easy to overlook little warning signs. Maybe they’re a bit too controlling, or they’ve got a temper, but you brush it off because they’re so charming most of the time. The trouble is, these red flags often turn into much bigger issues down the line. Don’t do it to yourself!
4. You continue to trust a colleague who’s been gossiping behind your back.
Office politics can be tricky, and you might want to believe the best of your workmates. But if you’ve heard through the grapevine that a colleague’s been spreading rumours about you, don’t be too quick to dismiss it. Giving them the benefit of the doubt could leave you vulnerable to more backstabbing, and you could pay the price for it down the line.
5. You keep accepting subpar service because “everyone has bad days”.
We all know the service industry can be tough, and it’s nice to be understanding when someone’s having an off day. But if you’re constantly making excuses for poor service at your local café or shop, you might be doing yourself a disservice. Not only are you likely getting less than you’re paying for, but you’re also enabling a culture of mediocrity.
6. You continue to trust online reviews without question.
You might think, “Why would anyone bother to write a fake review?” But the truth is, not all reviews are honest or unbiased. Some businesses pay for positive reviews or sabotage competitors. By blindly trusting every glowing recommendation or scathing critique, you might end up wasting money on subpar products or missing out on great experiences. Do your own research!
7. You repeatedly fall for “limited time offers” in advertising.
There are so many ads promising “once-in-a-lifetime deals” or “last chance offers”. It’s tempting to believe them because, well, who wants to miss out on a bargain? However, many of these “limited time” deals aren’t as rare or as good as they’re made out to be. They’ll inevitably come around again, and in the meantime, you end up wasting tons of money on stuff you don’t even really want.
8. You continue to believe in ‘get rich quick’ schemes.
Source: Unsplash You might think, “Well, it worked for that person, so why not me?” But the harsh truth is, most get-rich-quick schemes are just that – schemes. By giving these opportunities the benefit of the doubt time and time again, you could end up losing a lot more than just money, and that’s just the beginning.
9. You repeatedly forgive a friend who constantly cancels plans last minute.
Source: Unsplash Everyone has at least one friend who’s always bailing at the eleventh hour. You keep giving them chance after chance, thinking, “Maybe this time they’ll actually show up.” Sorry, but constantly cancelling isn’t just forgetfulness, it’s a pattern of disrespect. By continually excusing this behaviour, you’re not only setting yourself up for disappointment, but you’re also missing out on making plans with more reliable friends.
10. You trust unverified information shared on social media.
Source: Unsplash It’s easy to see a shocking headline or a heart-warming story and instantly hit the share button. You might think, “Why would someone make this up?” But the reality is, misinformation spreads like wildfire online. You could be unknowingly spreading fake news or falling for scams.
11. You continue to trust a company despite multiple poor experiences.
Brand loyalty can be a funny thing. You might keep giving a company chances because you’ve been a customer for years, or because you like their ethos. But if you’re consistently having negative experiences with their products or services, it might be time to reconsider. If you’re anything like me, you don’t have tons of money to waste.
12. You ignore your instincts about a potentially dangerous situation.
We’re often taught to be polite and not judge people too quickly, but sometimes, that little voice in your head telling you something’s off is spot on. Maybe you’re walking alone at night and someone’s behaviour seems suspicious, but you ignore it because you don’t want to seem paranoid. Giving strangers the benefit of the doubt in potentially dangerous situations could put your safety at risk. It’s okay to trust your gut and take precautions, even if it means potentially offending someone.
13. You continue to trust politicians who repeatedly break promises.
It’s easy to become cynical about politics, but it’s equally easy to keep hoping that this time, your elected officials will follow through on their promises. You might think, “They must have a good reason for not delivering.” But consistently giving politicians the benefit of the doubt when they fail to keep their word can lead to voter apathy and a breakdown of democratic accountability. It’s important to hold our leaders to account and base our support on their actions, not just their words.
14. You keep trusting your own ability to multitask effectively.
Research consistently shows that multitasking isn’t as effective as we think. By giving yourself the benefit of the doubt and believing you’re the exception to this rule, you might actually be reducing your productivity and the quality of your work. It might be better to focus on one thing at a time.
15. You continue to trust fad diets and miracle weight loss products.
Source: Unsplash When it comes to health and fitness, it’s tempting to look for quick fixes. You might think, “Well, it worked for that celebrity, so it must be legit.” However, the truth is, most fad diets and miracle weight loss products are at best ineffective, and at worst, potentially harmful to your health. There’s no easy way out here.
