How do you respond when somebody you have never met in person and only exchanged a sentence or two with online suddenly tells you they are "honest?"
"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."
Believe me... just like Trump. Why say that? Sounds shady.
Do you have a reason to question their honesty? Do you give all people the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise? If you think all people are lying it doesn't matter what they say. If you give everyone the benefit of the doubt, then until they prove untrustworthy you can believe them. If you think about it, based on what people are saying here, if someone starts a sentence with, "To tell you the truth..." or "To be honest with you..." they must be lying. You don't have to respond to their claim at all or you could say "I hope you're honest" or "time will tell."
People who can be trusted don't demand to be trusted.
I get this same feeling when Trump or any other politician or sales man says any of the following;
"Trust me!" .... ummm why should I do that?
"I'll be honest!" .... Normally, you aren't honest?
"I won't lie." .... Normally you are lying?
"Truth be told." ... What were you telling before?
People who volunteer they are fair, smart, one of the "good guys", trustworthy, or honest, are none of those things. People who are those things don't have to point it out. I myself, for instance, am a stable genius. I know more than my generals.
Ask them what internet provider they have there in Nigeria.
Honest people don’t usually feel the need to advertise the fact. Without context it’s hard to really advise you how to respond.
For starters...I have never thought a person needs to profess his honesty...we need evidence for truth, at least I know I do!