This might be an odd one.

For some time now (a few years) I have noticed that I get gratification from knowing that I'm being manipulated and taken advantage of. It feels like I'm in control of what is happening and I play dumb and naive. Whether it be that someone wants to loan a few dollars which I know I won't see again, being sexually taken advantage of (knowing they only want me for my body and getting validation), that they emotionally try to manipulate me but I'm seeing whats happening and don't call them out (I've done it a few times but it didn't go as I thought it would), I mean like that they want me to feel pity so they can get something out of me in some way.

I have often heard that I am so easy to talk to, and that they feel that they can be honest with me. One of these guys has told me that I seem to get people to open up and get information, but he said it in a negative way, which made me feel good.

But it also feels like I'm getting some leverage, like information they think I won't tell anybody "because I am hopelessly in love with them, or such a great friend". They tell me stuff they have done to others, things that would incriminate them, or just how they work and operate basically.

I'm talking about those kind of people who have some anti-social tendencies going on.

I am wondering if this might put me in that category as well.

I wonder if it's a type of defense-mechanism, or something else.

Does anybody relate to what I'm talking about?