http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556 I believe that they do.  I was sought out by a man from Goliad who had been a very public figure in Florida in his previous life.  He used me from December to February and then dumped me.  I have been hurt terribly by him and am now afraid to meet another man ...I worry that I will be mistreated once again. I believe that they do.  I was sought out by a man from Goliad who had been a very public figure in Florida in his previous life.  He used me from December to February and then dumped me.  I have been hurt terribly by him and am now afraid to meet another man ...I worry that I will be mistreated once again. en-us i bet you are a very independent woman who just gets lonely and wants companionship. That is what some men do tend to prey on. You need to make sure the people you get involved with are more set on wanting you in their life than needing you in their life. We all have our own problems the last thing we need is someone with more baggage. You are a woman and any man who is going to "rely" on you to help pay their bills and what not is a JOKE! There are several men who will cater to your needs! When you are ready to find men like that you will stop taking interest in all the losers that set off your radar! Good luck to you! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51195 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51195 i bet you are a very independent woman who just gets lonely and wants companionship. That is what some men do tend to prey on. You need to make sure the people you get involved with are more set on wanting you in their life than needing you in their life. We all have our own problems the last thing we need is someone with more baggage. You are a woman and any man who is going to "rely" on you to help pay their bills and what not is a JOKE! There are several men who will cater to your needs! When you are ready to find men like that you will stop taking interest in all the losers that set off your radar! Good luck to you! Well now, I have no doubt that what you're alleging is true but to be brutally honest, there are enough women who do the same thing as to make it about even. After my divorce following twenty years of marriage I was thrust back on to the dating scene at the tender age of 41. Following an initial period of faithfully rendering child  support for four years and agreed-on support for five, having a good job - albeit with irregular and often very long hours - little baggage and not being completely repulsive, I had a few relationships in the ensuing years with women who seemed interested in little more than what I was able to provide for them and in most cases, their offspring from a previous spouse who wasn't nearly as forthcoming with the court-ordered support as I had been. Fortunately I was only completely bamboozled by one of them. [sigh] It cost me dearly not only in $$ but emotionally as well. One lives and, hopefully, learns. And then I found a lovely, intelligent, prudent workaholic young woman who *needed* me about as much as a fish needs a bicycle.  Of course she took one look at me and ran for the hills but at least I know there are a few left out there...... She's been trying to run for almost ten years now but I've managed to prevent her escape thus far. I think the ankle bracelet I bought her from the TX Dept of Criminal Justice helps. :-) Life's good. Keep yer chin up. Ernie http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51267 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51267 Well now, I have no doubt that what you're alleging is true but to be brutally honest, there are enough women who do the same thing as to make it about even. After my divorce following twenty years of marriage I was thrust back on to the dating scene at the tender age of 41. Following an initial period of faithfully rendering child  support for four years and agreed-on support for five, having a good job - albeit with irregular and often very long hours - little baggage and not being completely repulsive, I had a few relationships in the ensuing years with women who seemed interested in little more than what I was able to provide for them and in most cases, their offspring from a previous spouse who wasn't nearly as forthcoming with the court-ordered support as I had been. Fortunately I was only completely bamboozled by one of them. [sigh] It cost me dearly not only in $$ but emotionally as well. One lives and, hopefully, learns. And then I found a lovely, intelligent, prudent workaholic young woman who *needed* me about as much as a fish needs a bicycle.  Of course she took one look at me and ran for the hills but at least I know there are a few left out there...... She's been trying to run for almost ten years now but I've managed to prevent her escape thus far. I think the ankle bracelet I bought her from the TX Dept of Criminal Justice helps. :-) Life's good. Keep yer chin up. Ernie It was 2 months!!!!  I've had sinus infections longer.....move on already.  Know wonder he left. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51311 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51311 It was 2 months!!!!  I've had sinus infections longer.....move on already.  Know wonder he left. Hello, I have to agree that there are some predatory men out there, but I think just as many predatory women. If you're a Christian, I would say pray to God to take care of you.  That was my prayer for years, and when I look back, it's amazing how He did!   In the end he's the only one who can. This isn't a message just for needy women or men, either, as none of us have total control over our lives. Lady of Texas, don't get discouraged about life or about relationships. Not all men or women are jerks. There are some real prizes out there. Just be willing to see them, and I would say listen to friends and close family who REALLY have your best interests in mind. Take care of yourself and respect yourself. You're in my prayers! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51317 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51317 Hello, I have to agree that there are some predatory men out there, but I think just as many predatory women. If you're a Christian, I would say pray to God to take care of you.  That was my prayer for years, and when I look back, it's amazing how He did!   In the end he's the only one who can. This isn't a message just for needy women or men, either, as none of us have total control over our lives. Lady of Texas, don't get discouraged about life or about relationships. Not all men or women are jerks. There are some real prizes out there. Just be willing to see them, and I would say listen to friends and close family who REALLY have your best interests in mind. Take care of yourself and respect yourself. You're in my prayers! Interesting what the word "used" might mean to differing individuals. We all "use" one another in one way or another. I'm not passing judgment, just stating the facts. Like Ernie, I found myself single again at the age of 41. Dating changed a lot in 20 years! From psychos to wannabees, bi's to bimbos, houseladys to 20's (ok, just for a little bit), I had my "fun and games" with the new lifestyle. If you consider a hang nail to be fun. Alas, some greater power smiled on me, and I met the most incredible woman, the "smart lady in a real short skirt" who must have waiting for me. Or she had a long weak moment. Two months ago we made it official and became "middle aged newlyweds". I can only hope our happiness finds you as well. Remember, you gotta kiss a bunch frogs to find the prince. Best wishes. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51319 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51319 Interesting what the word "used" might mean to differing individuals. We all "use" one another in one way or another. I'm not passing judgment, just stating the facts. Like Ernie, I found myself single again at the age of 41. Dating changed a lot in 20 years! From psychos to wannabees, bi's to bimbos, houseladys to 20's (ok, just for a little bit), I had my "fun and games" with the new lifestyle. If you consider a hang nail to be fun. Alas, some greater power smiled on me, and I met the most incredible woman, the "smart lady in a real short skirt" who must have waiting for me. Or she had a long weak moment. Two months ago we made it official and became "middle aged newlyweds". I can only hope our happiness finds you as well. Remember, you gotta kiss a bunch frogs to find the prince. Best wishes. Thank you for all your advice.  I was preyed on by this man.  He is a predator whether you know him for a week, 2 months or forever.  He uses women for his own devices.  I was merely trying to warn some unsuspecting woman that a man from Goliad who was a professional in Florida for a portion of his career is a predator and a user. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51350 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51350 Thank you for all your advice.  I was preyed on by this man.  He is a predator whether you know him for a week, 2 months or forever.  He uses women for his own devices.  I was merely trying to warn some unsuspecting woman that a man from Goliad who was a professional in Florida for a portion of his career is a predator and a user. Yep, I was thinking the same thing about the frogs, Bighorn.  But when you find that diamond of a man or woman, it's all worth it. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51392 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_51392 Yep, I was thinking the same thing about the frogs, Bighorn.  But when you find that diamond of a man or woman, it's all worth it. Lady get a grip.  Your version of used may not be to someone else. You could be set up for slander publically.  Writing a blog is one thing but slandering one person is another. If you were in a two month relationship and recognized he used be thankful. People are married all their lives to users.  There are givers and takers.  Get smart.  Make your list of of wants and don't wants and make sure you don't date the don't wants.  Be sure you weren't a little gullible to what ever he said.  No one person is totally responsible for failure in a relationship. So that means you had expectations that he did not fulfill.  So what.  You were dating.  That is what dating is about.  You trying on the shoes. If they don't fit well, get rid of them.  A good relationship becomes the old pair of comfortable slippers. I wonder what he has to say about you?  I think you are more upset about being dumped instead of you doing the dumping. Look in the mirror and grow up.  Figure out who you are and what you want to be and do it.  Then if you happen to attract a great man along the way, you have icing on the cake.  Quit the pitty party. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_56415 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/LadyofTexas/7556/#c_56415 Lady get a grip.  Your version of used may not be to someone else. You could be set up for slander publically.  Writing a blog is one thing but slandering one person is another. If you were in a two month relationship and recognized he used be thankful. People are married all their lives to users.  There are givers and takers.  Get smart.  Make your list of of wants and don't wants and make sure you don't date the don't wants.  Be sure you weren't a little gullible to what ever he said.  No one person is totally responsible for failure in a relationship. So that means you had expectations that he did not fulfill.  So what.  You were dating.  That is what dating is about.  You trying on the shoes. If they don't fit well, get rid of them.  A good relationship becomes the old pair of comfortable slippers. I wonder what he has to say about you?  I think you are more upset about being dumped instead of you doing the dumping. Look in the mirror and grow up.  Figure out who you are and what you want to be and do it.  Then if you happen to attract a great man along the way, you have icing on the cake.  Quit the pitty party.