The most common reason people use others is to get something in return. For example, someone might use you to help them with their work, so they can get a discount or a reward of some kind. Another reason people use others is to get something for themselves.
To be used in a relationship means to be manipulated and taken advantage of for the benefit of the other party. While being in a give and take situation makes for a healthy relationship, being used means you're in a one-sided relationship… which typically equates to you doing most, if not all, of the giving.
They may take you for granted because they think you will always be there for them, or they may simply not care. It can be frustrating and infuriating when you feel like you're always the one giving and never receiving. It's important to remember that you deserve respect just as much as anyone else.
An exploiter is a user, someone who takes advantage of other people or things for their own gain. Being an exploiter is selfish and unethical. To exploit someone is to use them in a way that's wrong, like an employer who pays low wages but demands long hours. An exploiter is a person who treats others this way.
take advantage of someone/something
to treat someone badly in order to get something good from them: I think she takes advantage of his good nature. I know she's offered to babysit, but I don't want her to think we're taking advantage of her.
a parasite (noun) "a person or thing that takes something from someone or something else and does not do anything to earn it or deserve it" MW.
There are signs that your partner might not be emotionally invested in your relationship like he does not talk about or resolve issues, avoids physical contact, forgets important dates or promises, is not there for you when you need him, and is always busy even when you are next to him.
The most common reason people use others is to get something in return. For example, someone might use you to help them with their work, so they can get a discount or a reward of some kind. Another reason people use others is to get something for themselves.
A guy who is a player is interested in physical contact with you right away. Since that's often his central goal, he sees no reason to take it slow. He is eager to cut to the chase and get what he's really after. He won't bother to develop emotional intimacy because all he wants is physical intimacy.
: to impose on (someone) : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from (someone) After a while, I began to think she was taking advantage of me. He felt like he'd been taken advantage of. : to use (something or someone) unfairly for personal gain.
to exploit or treat (a person) as a means to some selfish end.
The term user, when applied to a friend, means someone who is using a friendship solely for personal gain. (pejorative) An exploiter, an abusive user (a person who uses something or someone unfairly, selfishly and/or unethically).
Be sensitive, but be clear that you want her to stop leading you on and to date her exclusively. Don't argue with her if she needs time to think it over. You can say, "I want to be with you, and I hope you feel the same, but I know you might need some time to think about it.
“Taking someone for granted is when you expect a person to be there but lack appreciation for their role in your life,” says Samantha Ettus, a work/life expert and author of The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction.
Be direct. If you feel taken for granted by others, you need to communicate that to the other person. However, you don't want to simply come out and say “You take me for granted.” Attacks and “you” statements shut down communication and can make a bad situation worse.
If they only allow you to hang out when they are available or at places that are only convenient for them, those are red flags. Beware if they ignore you when you want to make plans or are constantly making excusing when you ask to spend time with them. Relationships need to remain focused on give and take.