Have you ever been suspicious that the person you are dating is more
interested in your money than in you? If you are concerned about this
and want to find out, here are some ideas to accomplish this and protect
yourself before it is too late.
Steps:
1. Understand what a
gold digger is, and is not.There's nothing wrong with a person being
concerned about your financial stability. A long-term partnership means
depending on each other through the ups and downs, and being financially
reliable does help with that to a degree. The difference between a gold
digger and someone who values your role as a provider is that the gold
digger would deride and perhaps leave you if you lost your ability to
provide for them financially. A good person can appreciate your
financial resources, but a gold digger appreciates your ability to meet
her demands.
2. Gold diggers drop hints that they're having
trouble paying their bills (sometimes they might even ask you directly
for a "loan" to tide them over). They know that you don't want to see
them get an eviction notice, or
get their car repossessed, and you're a
good person who's in a position to help. But there's a difference
between a gold are maxed out, because they "work hard" and they "earned
it"? Many gold diggers know better than to ask you to fund their more
luxurious tastes, at least in the beginning; they'll tap into your
desire to help them afford the things they need.
3. When they
discuss their financial woes, suggest ways in which the suspected gold
digger can make money fast. When you mention the possibility of them
selling their luxury car, video console, guitar, diamond bracelet, or
any other expensive item that could keep them from becoming homeless or
having their utilities cut off or car sold, they will most likely become
irritated by your suggestions.
4. Look for a sense of
entitlement. Gold diggers feel that they deserve to be treated well, and
that includes knowing that someone is willing to spend money on them.
Maybe it's because they had a bad childhood or relationship, and they
feel they deserve to be happy (and it just so happens that their joy
carries a high price tag). . Have you noticed unreasonable expectations
of especially favorable treatment? This sense of entitlement is one of
the symptoms of narcissistic behavior, which has other symptoms that a
potential gold digger might harbor:
*.grandiose sense of
self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to
be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
*.preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
*.believes
that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by,
or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or
institutions)
*.requires excessive admiration
*.lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
*.often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
5. Ask them meaningful questions.
*.What
is the best gift they've ever gotten? Gold diggers will almost always
cite an expensive, material object, not a uniquely personal and
thoughtful gift.
*.What's the biggest thing you ever had to give up
to do or get something you really wanted? What you're searching for here
is evidence of delayed gratification- the ability to give up something
now so that you can achieve something greater, later. Gold diggers are
notoriously spoiled or sheltered, and have never had to really wait,
work, or struggle for what they want because somehow, someone was always
there to help.
6. See what questions they ask you. Certain
questions which might seem harmless might really be an attempt to judge
your ability to provide. None of these questions, alone, should get you
worried but all of them on the first date should definitely send up a
red flag:
*.How much do you make a year? Why would she/he ask this
question? Because a gold digger is a mobile calculator, therefore every
question that relates to money is calculated to determine the percentage
of the total amount that she/he believes she/he "deserves".
*.Are
you a homeowner? And what type of car do you drive? They are trying to
determine your overall worth and whether being with you is a profitable
investment for them.
*.How many kids do you have? Your answer to the
question will help her/him determine (calculate) much of your income and
attention goes to your children and how much time you can devote to
her/him. A gold digger is a needy individual that will take up a lot of
your money, time and energy.
7. Search for signs of generosity
and gratitude towards you. After having gone on several dates, has this
person ever offered to pay? When you do pay, does he or she say thank
you? Do they ever offer to help you in other ways? (And no, physical
intimacy doesn't count); do they cook you dinner when you've been out
working late?
8. Indulge in a pipe dream. A pipe dream is
basically a long shot. Take one of your childhood fantasies and run with
it. Tell the person you're dating that you're thinking about becoming
the mechanic, farmer, supermodel, writer, [insert dream career here]
you've always wanted to be. Explain how if you were to ever do this, it
would require a significant lifestyle change; you'd have to go back to
school, relocate, or whatever would make it clear that your standard of
living will go down dramatically. How does this person respond? Do they
seem concerned? That's normal. A good person will encourage you to
follow your dreams while simultaneously helping you think of ways to do
it practically and responsibly. A gold digger will look horrified or
disgusted and say things like "You're not really serious, are you?" OR
they are ready to call it quits and leave because you are paying
attention to "you" instead of "them".
9. Watch yourself. It feels
good to help people, whether you just helped someone avoid becoming
homeless, or you're helping an aspiring artist or entrepreneur launch
his or her career, but you have to be careful that you don't fall into a
pattern where your help become the norm, so much so that without your
financial assistance, the relationship would crumble. If you're the kind
of person who has trouble, or who is intensely sympathetic and
compassionate, you're more likely to bump into a gold digger. You might
also face the feeling that this is one of the most attractive or
intriguing people you've ever dated, and you don't want to ruin your
chances, but don't be fooled by a good looking exterior. It could cost
you.
10. Listen to the types of questions you are asked.Even
seemingly innocuous questions like "What do you do?" and "Where do you
live?" can be loaded questions, asked in an attempt to ascertain your
net worth and lifestyle. In any case, do not answer these questions
directly - but start out by explaining your life story. Usually they get
bored.
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