I've tended to be a magnet for people like that, and it dies get tedious.

One thing I've decided is that people who do that are not as unaware of what they're doing, as I had thought they were. There is a certain amount of either what I call soft-bullying or just plain exploitation.

A person used to call me all the time and talk non-stop only about herself. Then I started putting a time limit on it. When I'ld tell her I was going to have to go, she'ld suddenly start asking me what was going on in my life. You see what I mean. She knew I was getting bored hearing only about her, so she'ld suddenly try to make the conversation more interestng to me.

Like me you probably worry over much about not wanting to hurt someone or make them feel rejected. You have to get over that. It helps to realize that they are knowingly exploiting you.