3 Signs She Is Taking Advantage Of You

"You're the man of the relationship, so you should pay"

It's funny how as a society we focus our attention on ways the male population takes advantage of females. There is a multitude of articles that point fingers at misogyny, toxic masculinity, and other negative behavioral patterns that men display.

But what about women?

It is absolutely absurd to believe that women do not play the game too. The only difference between women and men is that women can disguise it better. Women are just as capable of being the toxic individuals in the relationship just like anyone else.

If you find yourself in a relationship with a female that seems more dominating and assertive than normal, here are a few signs you may be a victim of having been used.

Her Male Friend(s) Don't Respect Your Boundaries

This topic of conversation differs from couple to couple. Each couple has different boundaries set when it comes to opposite-sex friendships and it truly comes down to what you and your partner agree on.

Never should you compare your relationship to that of another, nor should you use other relationships to excuse behavior that may make your partner feel uncomfortable.

That being said, a tell-tale sign she is using you is if she has not communicated your boundaries to her male friends. As committed partners, you deserve to know the people your significant partner chooses to associate with. This is what transparency looks like.

If you find that your partner is not being as transparent as they should with their male friends then it is a convincing sign that they do not want to be. This could be due to a multitude of reasons, but it is worth exploring and confronting your partner.

You Pay For Everything

If she is facing financial difficulty and has expressed this, this does not mean she is using you.

In the beginning, you are simply trying to make a good first impression. Buying her dinner and paying for small gifts as a way to express your admiration for her.

Your generosity has not gone unnoticed. In fact, she now expects you to keep up with what you started. This may cause you to feel unappreciated or used. If she can afford her trips to the salon, an evening out with friends, but cannot pay towards you in any way it is clear that you are not a priority for her.

If you find yourself in this predicament, then a strategy would be to see her reaction in the event you forget your wallet. Does she freak out? Does she get defensive and pout? If she overreacts to the situation, then it is clear that she feels her money should not be wasted on you.

She Does Not Introduce You To Family/Friends

At some point, we may find ourselves in a situation with someone where we perceived the relationship to be getting serious whereas your 'significant other' is not.

This can be due to a number of reasons such as, not clearly defining the relationship. However, if she has insisted that the feelings are there and she wants to take that next step but has not introduced you to her friends/family...then she is leading you on.

Inviting you into that personal element would disrupt her manipulation tactics and would result in outside perspectives on the relationship. This is something she does not want. Instead, you may find her making a number of excuses as to why you are unable to meet these individuals:

"They never got back to me"

"I reached out, but they are too busy maybe another time"

"I'm not really close to them like that"

These are a few of the excuses you may hear from her.

So You Think You Are Being Used...Now What?

If you have found yourself in this position and are realizing that this may not be the first time, then the long-term solution would be to analyze yourself.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want a committed relationship?
• Have I given people the benefit of the doubt because I am just meeting them?
• Do I typically choose partners that are "fun" to be around?
• Have I moved fast in previous relationships?

After having asked yourself these questions it is important that you then voice these concerns to them. Not only will it come to fruition that they have been exposed, but it helps you to put out in the air what you are no longer going to tolerate.

Do not fall victim to any manipulation tactics that follow. The best thing for you to do is speak your piece and leave the relationship.