[JohnFen]

Do many really get deceived by this? That would be like thinking a company is being honest when they say "we're a big family here".

[tombert]

I fell for it once a couple years ago, and its even more embarrassing since I had already been working in the industry for like nine years.

I don't really want to go into too much detail, but I had to talk to an HR person because of some "concerns" they had about me. The concerns were actually perfectly fair, and the HR rep was very friendly, but when I explained some personal information to the HR person in response, and despite the fact that I told them it was something I wasn't terribly comfortable telling anyone, they felt it prudent to tell my direct manager, and his manager, and his manager's manager that day.

I wasn't at the company much longer, but that wasn't even the reason why.

[jahsome]

Yes. Many, many people.

Friendliness goes a long way towards quelling suspicion. I think it's rather safe to say unassuming kindness can disarm most anyone who isn't a cutthroat, Type A personality.

I'm autistic as hell and I can still see how people would fall for it.

[JohnFen]

OK, I can understand that.

Perhaps I was surprised just because I'm older and have decades of experience working for various companies, so I've learned better.