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SGBye
I’ve seen these people go to the houses of people who no longer attend meetings and they'll even go around to their backyards if there’s no answer at the front door!
So have I!! I've also seen them invite themselves in, too. Perfect examples as to how they don't respect "normal" social norms, therefore one shouldn't feel constrained or obligated to do the same for them in return. On a related note, I've also had them get extremely pushy, crossing the borderline right over into rudeness, even on the telephone. You absolutely, must not only stand your ground, but, in my experience, you also have to push back so that they know who they are dealing with. Being submissive, polite and hesitant will only feed their desire to control and manipulate to their way of thinking and getting what they want from you.
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SGBye
Sirmrtony, the SGI-ers must’ve been absolutely salivating when you walked through their doors. You have 2 main things that they want: you’re young, and you have a mind they can easily mold and manipulate. I’m sorry you went through what you did, but that should only make your decision to leave all the more easier. Just remember - these people don’t own you and they aren’t the boss of you, so they can’t make you do anything you don’t want to.
The salivating mode is disgusting to witness, that's when the faking goes into ridiculous overdrive.
SGBye makes excellent points. They'll try to boss you around and control you, but only to the extent that you let them from the outset. If you grant them an inch, they'll take a foot. If you grant them a foot, they'll take a yard, etc.. Just know this from the outset and don't allow it to happen.
Stand firm and push back, then they will invariably reveal their true colors rather quickly.