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I Am A Good Person That Gets Taken Advantage Of

Thank You

2 simple but powerful words that can make the difference to a person.

Recently, I was taken advantage of, not once or twice, but many times. I am not stupid, just goal focused. It was when insult was added to injury is when I snapped and cut all ties. Was I right in how I handled it? I am not sure. Let’s just say I had had enough. It is one thing to help another, it is quite another thing to take advantage of and abuse another person.

I help out in our office. We have an older lady in her 70’s who runs the extra curricular activities. No one would help her so I jumped right in. I was the Costco queen, the plant lady, the errand runner and I did it all with a smile and no complaints.

This woman and her daughter commandeered my trip to London. For the sake of having a pleasant time, I went along with them just to enjoy a part of the trip. This lady invited me to Las Vegas. I figured out that it was to babysit her friend while she gambled. I looked at it as getting a free room but I have to tell you the friend was a pain.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was when I was promised a very large plant that I had taken care, had repotted and helped it thrive. The first large plant was given away and I was promised the second one, but this woman also gave it away behind my back.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t need another plant, but I was talked to like a dog. That did it. I washed my hands of helping her again. I called my boss, told him what happened (he was already aware of what they were doing to me) and stopped all communication with her and the other lady.

Why did I continue to help her all these years? It was for the good of the company and I felt badly for her due to her age. There is much more I could add but you get the picture.

I have already written about how I am helping a little girl who has drug addicted parents. This little girl is the step granddaughter of my brother and former sister in law.
I love to sew. I have made this little girl the most beautiful clothes & quilts not to mention the stuff I bought her on sale. I made sure she had Christmas presents.

Not once have I ever received acknowledgement for what I have done. I have never received a call to acknowledge they received the boxes, if the clothes fit or she likes them…much less a thank you.

This family lives in a very bad part of town. The post office doesn’t like to leave packages there. Plus the father has been known to sell their possessions. I put a tracer on them but sometimes they don’t acknowledge the mailman.

I have never received a thank you for anything. All I could get from my former SIL is how I have HURT HER feelings! Is there a better way of handling it? Not sure. I do know that I am looking at my kindness in a different light in 2015.
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Harley52
You have been hurt many times over, like so many of us, but please don't change what you try to do. There are many out there that just take advantage of people and, sometimes, I think they don't even conciously know that they're doing it. And, that, is the really sad part, isn't it? There really are many of us that do appreciate everything you do. More and more every day. You are the good example that everyone needs to look up to.

And do not try to rethink how you have handled it. There is nothing laid in stone as to how to handle yourself. I think you have done a grand job all this time and it is their loss to not have you there to help and to have your friendship.

Don't ever give up your kindness. The world would be a sadder place if you let them get to you. Please don't let them win.
akindheart · 61-69, F
i guess i have to just be a better judge of character...i found that what made me cut all ties is when people lie to me...i have been too good to these 2 ladies to warrant that kind of behavior.
Harley52
I quite agree. And it's their loss. Your friendship and trust is something to value, which they did not.