Use or abuse?

A person I used to know offline said that they think people don't tend to abuse others as much as they tend to use them.

Any thoughts? This was re. my friendship with this person...... I was worried about being hurt and abused so asked a question which resulted in this reply.

This person did later on verbally abuse me and also (mildly?) physically abused me.

What is "mild" abuse? Does such a thing exist??

Fuzzy,

I think this might be a simplification of the terms, but I think that people can use others to gain something for themselves or whatever they want to get through the association with another person....When you use someone without hurting them, I would consider that being "USE".

When people use someone & then hurt them in the process, that is what I believe to be "ABUSE". There is a very fine line between the 2 because most of the time when I feel used, I feel hurt that someone would do that to me. I think the hurt with abuse goes deeper than just feeling hurt (or sad) that someone would treat you like that....it would be a deeper hurt like ruining ones reputation or telling lies about them.....then physical abuse is when someone touches you like hitting or pushing or any other inappropriate type of touching.

Hope this can give some ideas on the difference,
Debbie

Would think I should know the answers huh? Well, I don't, which is why I post.

Why don't I know answers I should know? Because I've been abused for most of my life and its hard to tell what is "good" and who or what is in fact abusive.