Are people less trusting than they used to be?

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
It seems to me everyone is scared these days. The look on faces when in public ranges from concern to fear, like they think they are going to be attacked at any moment. Countless security systems for homes and cars available. Self-defense courses. Parents telling kids not to talk to strangers. You can't start a conversation with anyone that doesn't know you, even in a public place.

Is is really that much more dangerous than it used to be or is the fear stemming from too much media coverage of isolated incidents that make it seem worse than it is? Or was I just brought up and also currently live in a environment too good to be true (small suburban community)?
 

I can only speak for myself, but yes, I am much less trusting than I used to be. I'm very cautious and don't even answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. We do have a security system with cameras on our home.
 

Parents were always telling kids not to talk to strangers, but otherwise I agree with Falcon "More idiot extremists and newer weapons".

There is more crime. Churches have much less influence on people to be good to each other, lots of parents are on drugs and couldn't care less about teaching their kids right from wrong and the drug problem in itself is causing more thefts and robberies. Insane people with violent tendencies roam the streets without homes or care. So I agree, people are less trusting.
 
I recently saw an episode of "Forensic Files" where two men got in a fist fight in a parking lot of a tavern. Even when one was knocked down, the other continued to beat and kick him, then got in his truck and ran over him TWICE and dragged him 50 feet. There were 2 other men looking on and didn't try to stop it. WOW! I didn't see the beginning of the program, but wondered what could precipitate such violence.

BTW - I never lock my car in the local (small town) supermarket parking lot. If people want to steal my ice scraper and whisk broom, they need it more than I do. I DO lock it when I'm going to be more than 15 minutes when I'm in another town. I've never had an attempted abduction. When a friend asked if I wasn't worried about being pulled into someone else's vehicle, I said "They'd need a fork lift to get me in." Being an ugly, fat old lady had its advantages.
 
yes people are less trusting then they use to be -- it is dangerous to be out at night there are so many gangs and drunks and drug addicts out there--
 
[h=2]Are people less trusting than they used to be?[/h]
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Why are you asking? What is so important about knowing that?

:p

I spent much of my career teaching self-defense. I wouldn't have had as many students if the threat was only a perceived one. In fact, as the years went on I gained many more students.

A lot depends upon where you live, but the old saw about "Well, we never have anything like that happen here" is pretty much invalid now. Wherever there are people, there is a capacity for crime.
 
debodun said:
These answers beg another question - Why is crime so much more prevalent these days? If you say "Drug use." then why is drug use increasing?
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... because people cannot cope with the world anymore?

Because they have an attitude of "I want it, I'll take it"?

Because all too often they receive a slap on the wrist from the courts, so it makes crime attractive?
 
The media publicizes crime more. The crooks are more technologically adept. The crooks have greater mobility. With a larger population it is easier for crooks to blend in. Crooks and terrorists are in some cases interchangeable.
 
Yes, people are less trusting and they should be.

Back in the day we could leave house doors unlocked, walk down the street at night, and get into a car if stranger offered a ride. Stalking was an unknown term.

Not anymore.

Also, today there are so many scams (on/off the internet). If you take money from ATM someone might be watching. If cashier gives you quite a bit of change someone might be watching. I was in customer service line the other day and saw someone cash a paycheck for a couple hundred dollars - cashier counted it out. Person leisurely put the money into purse and walked away.
 
IMO the world hasn't changed as much as our view and perception of it, the Bogeyman is winning.

latest


I think that it is wise to lock the car, lock your home, be aware of your surroundings when out and about but not to be afraid of what might happen or what happened to some unnamed person in some far flung corner of the world.
 
debodun said:
Where else would they put it?
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What kind of a question is that? The point is everyone could see/hear what was going on, that they had several hundred dollars on them, and to someone who is determined to get it it makes no difference if they put the money in their purse, wallet, shoe, bra, or taped it to their forehead.

Meanwhile, you have the right to not lock your car doors and not be at all concerned about security. You'd be surprised at how much crime takes place in 'small suburban communities' but, you're certainly entitled not to be aware or concerned.
 
The criminals of today ,and I’m taking about Australia ...care little about security cameras or the fact you are home if they decide thay are going to break into your home ,some criminals here in Adelaide just decide they want take your luxury car so they force their way into the home to get the keys and they don’t care if the owner is home or not .

These crimes are useally carried out by a gang of criminals , many of them have been imprissioned for previous crimes, when they get released many of them go on to commit further robberies and home invasions ,it used to happen in the working class areas but now they are targeting more wealthy areas where homes are worth about 3–4 + million $$$$
I don’t live in the city so I feel reasonably safe , many in this area don’t lock cars ..I don’t however my car is stored under a secure carport with roller doors
 
I think the media is to blame for less trust. Remember when razor blades were put in apples on Halloween to injure kids. The media made that known. Then the media was all over this. Contamination of Tylenol capsules resulting in the death of seven people. Never a day goes by without some scam alert, road rage, parking lot shootings, drug use and the need to feed the habit, all fodder for the media.


Thanks to the media video's of riots can be seen giving people to opportunity to stay home or rush down to join in to see what loot can be dragged home.


My opening sentence was sarcastic. I don't blame media I think media is doing us all a favor by letting us know our trust should be based on knowing what is going on in our world no matter where we live.
 
As I've lived my life, I have become less trusting than I was when I was younger. I'm not afraid, and I have many times talked to strangers in public, just had a chat with a man outside the library today. I am more aware of my surroundings than when I was younger, I know there's always the chance of a creep coming by wanting to steal something from me or do me harm, but I'm not paranoid about it, just try and be prepared.

As a child my mother was very strict that I did not talk to strangers, or go near or in any adult's car that I did not know. She also always kept our door in our apartment locked. When I carry large amounts of money or valuables, I have put it in my sock, bra or underwear so access to it wasn't as easy for a potential robber. But those times were few and far between, and I never had an issue with someone trying to take my money.

These days if I'm alone in my car in a dark parking lot, I will lock the door, when I was young I never did that. There are a lot of bad horror stories that you hear on the news, but I also know that many are told in an overly dramatic way, to gain viewers, clicks online and general ratings.
 
I do believe people are less trusting today and for very good reasons, as outlined by those above. I would NEVER leave my house unlocked, or my car, and I am very aware of my surroundings if I'm out shopping or anywhere else. I also carry mace.

The kind of work I did for so many years made me acutely aware of the awful things that people are capable of doing to one another. Too many people think "nothing like that could ever happen HERE," until it does.
 
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