From my limited experience in life I have noticed that almost everyone is looking to manipulate someone else. It is difficult for me to spot it, especially when the person is older than myself or critically different, in which case it takes me a few months or even years to even notice. I think that I am "innocent", in a way, because of my ignorance of the abundance of deception and manipulation in our society.
I do not think like a woman. This means that I am more susceptible to manipulation from women than men. For example, a few months ago, my ex-girlfriend asked me who I've had relations with (long after we had broken up). It was completely irrelevant, and took me awhile to realize that she was just being nosey. She told me that she had been worried for months and told me that I should take a test. At first I thought it was funny, and then I realized that she was genuinely trying to hurt and embarrass me without any provocation on my part. It was merely a ploy to try to get me to spill my secrets so she could gossip about me. She brought up some experiences at parties that her friends had discussed about with her (behind my back) which I will not go into detail. I took it as an insult to my intelligence, and have not since spoken to her. I felt as if during that relationship that my only reason for being there was to give her attention. Do you know what I mean? It had nothing to do with me, it only was because I was there.
I made friends with her and some girls that were sort of her friends earlier this year, and over the period that I hung out with them I would notice the web of social tensions and complex intricacies between their friendships. They would be different when certain people were around, and still act as if they were normal. After awhile I got sick to my stomach and realized that these girls were not the "nice" kind of girls. Then I decided to stay away from them.
I only wonder how they were when I was not around.
Do not get me wrong, I think that men do the same thing. I am lucky, I chose good friends. These friends do not act in such a way.
What are your experiences with manipulation? How do you deal with it? Are there any suggestions you have for me that will help me spot them before it becomes too late? I know to look for someone being too nice, or someone acting as if I am special. I am good at analyzing people, but when someone is genuine in their "want" but not truthful with their motive; then I become confused.
Everybody wants something. I don't see why it can't just be me, not something that I can do for them...