We are working with people from all over the world. Globalization goes together together with an increase in transparency of reputations. The Internet introduced deadly transparency. The flattened and connected world makes sure reputations spread faster than you can say “Slartibartfast”.
With an increase in geographical and cultural distance the aspect of “trust” becomes all important. When people have never met, there are only two mechanism we can fall back on:
- reputation: what others are saying about the other person, and
- trying to read “telltale signs“, look for behavior or other marks that they identify with trustworthiness.
This second mechanism might be as simple as being friendly and saying “hello” every time you see someone down the hall. People attempt to detect the tell-tale signs of trustworthiness not only based upon behavioral markers that society associates with it; it has also to do with the similarity of the other with you. Persons that are more viewed as being equal or “the same” are more likely to be considered honest and sincere towards you.
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