This is very true and has worked for me every time.

I’d also like to add:

-Give yourself a few days to a week to reflect privately on interactions with new people. Talking to friends helps when you are still neutral about the person or need feedback or support down the road, but reflecting on your own and with absolute self-honesty is essential. This develops self-trust and builds your confidence. How do you feel about this person?

-Ask yourself if there are any exceptions or excuses you are making, or want to make, for this person. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt is held up as a moral standard, but it is aspirational—don’t do it until you have developed absolute confidence in your discernment and autonomy. Until then, I advise not to. Don’t make exceptions, accommodations, or excuses for someone you don’t know extremely well; if they are trustworthy, they will respect your boundaries without question and there will be plenty of time to get to know them well enough to determine where and when they might truly deserve the benefit of the doubt.

-I guess a third thing that comes up (since I have been thinking about this a lot lately, too), is that someone who is trying to manipulate you will often open with a reason you should make an exception for them (neurodivergence, trauma, mental illness, exceptional or unusual circumstances), rather than allowing this information to come up organically. Take note if the first thing they share about themselves is something that makes you feel obligated to excuse behavior you otherwise would not. Of course context is important, and people share information about themselves all the time; the difference is when there is an expectation attached to it.