I know someone who does this, sometimes. It's particularly annoying when he isn't functioning super well himself and I am the person holding things together.

I think of it as a male one-upmanship thing - because this friend is very competitive about everything in his life.

I'll take it for a while in the name of good humour, and it stresses me quite a lot. I notice that I'm stressed at the end of a day with it, like I say particularly if he's not on form himself, and I am the one being supportive towards him.

I also have limits, and will tell him to back off. I tell him that when I'm being generous, it would be good for him to respond with some generosity in return, that we all need care sometimes.

I believe that people need to have it pointed out sometimes that they are taking care without returning it in kind. To point it out in a normal, regular, non-guilt tripping manner.

Do you agree?