I think it is OK to trust people at face value IF they have already earned that trust. For example, if you have a friend that is always truthful and who never exaggerates, then it is OK to believe him (unless you have a reason to think he is lying). However, you should also understand that if it’s someone you don’t know very well yet, then they haven’t earned your trust. So you should try to keep an open mind, not necessarily think they’re always lying, but not necessarily thinking they are always telling the truth either.

You are not slow, you don’t have anything wrong with you. You just need to remember that trust is an earned thing, that happens over time as you get to know how truthful someone is. If someone is not always truthful, they may never earn your trust. That is OK - you do not have to trust everyone even if you have known them a long time

I have the exact same thing, I also have a hard time with sarcasm unless it’s very obvious or over exaggerated. Basically my brain just thinks why would someone lie to me? I’m always willing to help out someone or listen to their stories, there’s no need to lie or embellish. And that’s a good thing! I’m willing to take what people say at face value because I do believe in the goodness of humans (though that’s definitely being put to the test lately…).

You’ll do just fine in life! If you’re ever unsure, ask someone you trust to verify or give their thoughts on what you’ve heard (I do this all the time!). And if you have a friend that always embellishes or tells fibs then have that mental check on what they say. In the end it says more about them needing to do that than you taking them at face value. And if the things they say are hurtful, can harm others, or they do it just to mess with you, then it’s time to reevaluate having them as a friend.

You’re not slow at all, your brain just works differently, same as mine, same as lots of other people. I don’t know how old you are (I’m guessing younger than my mid forties) but as you get older you’ll figure out ways to parse these things better. Please don’t take your way of seeing things as being slow or stupid, you’re absolutely not, and this isn’t going to hold you back in any way. Good luck with all this, it can definitely be challenging, but you’re going to be a-ok.

Stop taking things at face value. Understand the motivations behind the words people chose to use. That’s not to say that everyone is lying all the time, but to protect yourself and your sanity take what people tell you with a grain of salt and when reality confirms or disproves what they say only then you know. Doing this helps you not spread other peoples lies.

To be fair, it is quite odd that someone would lie about having a significant other. I get that it happens, but it’s not exactly the norm and it’s weird.

I think that’s wholesome of you to have faith in what people say like that. If everyone were like you, then you wouldn’t have to worry about who is lying and who isn’t. Because people would just exist and be honest and say things and face value.

I honestly don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong in being this way. Just keep in mind that occasionally someone may lie in a way that may take advantage of you. So be careful out there.