Yes I trust you, as long as I have a camera on you.

Trust. Its an interesting word. Its dictionary definition is a firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing. But what is it actually in its manifestation in a relationship? Can one party of a marriage truly and total trust another? If so what is the need for rules for so called trust? I have a colleague who I respect quite a bit who has been happily married for 15 years with 2 wonderful children. He does travel a bit for work and when he does he does not go anywhere where he will be alone with another female unless it is his sister or mother. I find this curious especially when he identifies times when he has to travel with a work colleague that is a female, does this mean you don’t share taxis or rental cars when going from the airport to the same hotel? Yup, no sharing if it is just the two of them. This is all for trust. But doesn’t this go against the very definition of trust which is the reliance of integrity where you shouldn’t have to worry if they are alone since you know they wouldn’t take advantage of a situation.

I have been on the road for a number of years having been to trade shows, events, customer presentations to name a few. I have seen all the stereotypes and more, but the exception to the rule are those breaking those sacred vows. So we all know the euphemisms of ‘what goes on the road, stays on the road’, or ‘its not cheating if it is a different zip code’, but I would like to believe that those that believe in these ideologies are not the trustworthy blokes that we idealize.

But then another aspect of this showed up. Another colleague is looking for a nanny to help take care of their two children. Of course she gets veto power over any choice her husband makes, so of course the question was asked in jest ‘don’t you trust your husband?’ ‘Of course, but that doesn’t mean I want temptation prancing around in high heels and a tight shirt’.

This implies that there is a happy boundary between rules required for trust, and temptation dancing like sugar plum fairies. I am sure that balance varies in each and every relationship, but I hope in this day and age of divorces outnumbering marriages, infidelity, and celebrity relationships that last 48 hours, I would hope we can all have a little more trust, honest and true trust. Trust in what is fundamental to that relationship and in our own beliefs.