Manipulation Discussion

• Does everyone manipulate their peers?
• What about open manipulation? I think if one is realy good at Manipulateing people, they should be able to tell them their Manipulateing them, and still be sucussful at it. it would be a kinder happier kind of manipulation. I personaly love when I'm being warned first, not that I love being Manipulated, but I would always rather people be honest.
• Why do people Manipulate other people?
• Why do people Manipulate their pets?
• What does Manipulation mean?

just rambeling,

Manipuation bothers me the most when i can sense it happening. in the same nagging feeling watchin ads on T.V. every once in a while i just know something inst right and someone or something is trying to twist me. -Dawn

I'm very manipulative. ~Erin

I see how what I do affects people, usually. Because I'm aware of it, and now and then, they're not, does that make it manipulation?

• I don't know an answer to that question. But I think that that kind of awareness is absolutely essential, and makes life so much more interesting. Especially if you can see the flip side of that coin, too: that is, how others' actions affect you. -Emerie
• I keep thinking about it, and people get so mad at me for being manipulative, when all I was was aware of what I do, as if it makes it my fault all of a sudden. This really bothers me...
• Maybe it has to do with taking responsibilty for the effect you have, if you are aware of it. Being aware gives you a certain control or power, and power is a delicate thing. I don't know... I may be writing utter nonsense. And I'm speaking entirely in the abstract, too- I have no idea how any of this applies to your specific situation. Interesting stuff to think about, though... -Emerie
• It happens to me in the abstract. I try to be responsible for things, but I can't be responsible for everything. I just make sure I do everything I can with integrity. You can't be responsible for everything someone else does in reaction to you, even if you are aware of what makes them do it. It's just not possible.

I think I manipulate people more or less constantly... I think of what would make a person react a certain way. Is that manipulation, or just getting along with people? When I meet someone, I'm nice to them. Is that manipulating them into liking me?

But I also do a deeper kind of manipulation. I'm good at settling arguments between my brother and my mom because of it. I can rephrase my brother's words so my mom hears something that's not offensive to her, while still keeping my brother's meaning. I mostly use manipulation to avoid or settle disputes. I don't think this is bad.

I don't think it's possible to manipulate someone to do something they wouldn't otherwise do. Unless it's horribly blunt manipulation, like blackmail. Oh yeah, that kind of manipulation... I guess I do that too, sometimes, to my brother. "I'll give you five dollars and a back massage if you do the dishes for me" kind of thing.

Hmm, here's a question: how do you not manipulate someone?

-marina

I honestly don't know at all if I'm manipulative or not.