Sitting down at a table to play poker and refusing to acknowledge the rest of the players are trying to take your money isn't "avoiding cynicism" it's just being a mark
But approaching every social interaction as a zero-sum game where you are competing with others is not only cynical but exhausting and makes one unbearable to be around. If you want to do that, then I guess you will be in good company hanging out with the bad-faith liars you feel are worth destroying your own values to combat.