No better place to start than right in the middle

I plan to host a series, and I hope people will help me write it. (That means commenting if you have a comment, and even if you don't, just commenting for the heck of it anyway, so we can pick collective brains.) I'm interested in exploring what's involved in everyday interactions when people try to steer and direct you for their purposes. As I understand it, all human interaction have to potential to contain some element of this. And we all have a sense for what we feel comfortable tolerating (or find acceptable) and what "rubs the wrong way." I believe that much of the time, discomfort goes on beneath the conscious level. So let's explore what goes wrong, and how to bring it up into the light.

Since I don't know where to start or how to structure this, I'll start smack dab anywhere. Some of this has come from reading I've done, but mostly it's come from personal experience (reinforced and clarified, in some cases, by reading the thoughts of others who have made their research available to all.)

The topic is manipulators. More specifically, the worst kind. Or less specifically, any kind. I think it's worthwhile to talk about the big and the bad and the small and less bad. A series could be written; a year would not cover it. Not with the kind of "research" I've amassed. So let's start with something fundamental that I believe is used frequently, if not necessarily always, when the slickster tries to pull a fast one on "unsuspecting you."

Has it ever been pointed out to you that pointer-outer has done you a favor? More than one favor, maybe, and great favors, as they remind you? Now, it's normal for well-meaning loved-ones to take a bow when they've done you right, but I'm talking about niceties you have to stop and think about because you know you didn't ask for them. And furthermore, you're not sure you would have agreed, given the choice. Or at least, you feel a little quizzical over why it's being pointed out to you by favor-doer that their deed should get some spotlight.

Do you know where this is going? While your head's still reeling over strange conversation, something is then asked of you. The strong implication is that you got, so you should give.

And do you think it's billed as optional? Maybe - on the surface. A surface so thin you don't even know it's there.

Have you ever had anyone interact a little strangely with you, and upon reflection you realize they tried to ingratiate themselves to you (maybe pointing it out, maybe not), and then asked you (surprisingly) for something? Have you ever been given the creeps as such? So that you ponder what's creepy or what seems somewhat... "off"?

The look on your face as you try to figure out what just happened