Dear greenshade:
I like your thought process expressed in this thread.
My answer to your question: “Who earns your trust and to what extent”-
I will get to know a person over time, observe and learn their functioning in different areas. Following that, and upon ongoing observations and learning, I will trust an individual in some areas but not in others. For example, person X taught me that he keeps his word, is honest and caring, but is unassertive in the work place/ financially. So, I will trust X as a friend, but not as a financial/ business partner.
As to your question: “What is a reasonable amount to trust someone do you guys think?” you mean “a reasonable amount” of time, correct?- as long as it takes. I will not trust a person in any particular area until I learn if the person is trustworthy (worthy of my trust) in that area. If I need to learn quicker, for practical purposes, I will speed up the learning process by asking more questions.
anita