@ghost-of-a-duke said
There is a difference between giving people the benefit of the doubt and losing trust in somebody completely.
I gave the example previously of giving money to a lady who came to my door, saying she was a neighbour and that her car had broken down. (Needed money for a taxi to get to an interview). My wife thought I was daft trusting somebody like that, and the pers ...[text shortened]... ever to reappear at my door she would find my trust in her had gone. - Just as it had gone with you.
I agree, I had the same situation recently with someone knocking, just different story line for $150.00 and some scrap hvac units to break down. I’ve had a lot of people work for me over the years and heard every story and personal situation and knew things wouldn’t work out from the start. At the same time I knew he really was struggling and needed my help at that time. After a month of never showing up to earn more or help me stain my wood floors I sanded only wanting more and more like he was one of my children {he’s my age} I had to cut ties. I started by telling him I would trust and take him at his word as a man and he broke it, so the same feelings about helping him again.