At some point or another, we've all been taken advantage of. Even when we think we're helping, there are people out there who take advantage of our kindness. Is there such a thing as being too nice? I'm going to tell a few short stories about myself and you tell me if there is a difference between helping and being taken advantage of.

All my life I have been nice and helped people every way I could. When I was younger I didn't understand what being taken advantage of was. I would always help my teachers, classmates, and my neighbors with anything they needed help with. They were very nice people, and they didn't expect me to help them all the time.

As I grew up, I started to feel like people took advantage of my kindness. In high school, we had many projects to do and we were split into groups. I would always end up with doing most of the work. They asked me if it was too much, but of course I would always say, "no" because I didn't want them to feel bad. This continued throughout my classes in high school. There was one time when I told my group members I was doing too much, but they insisted I wasn't and kept me with the work load. That's when I figured out, they were taking advantage of my kindness. It was because then, I didn't know how to say "no" and would always end up doing everything, thinking I was being nice. I understood, people had sports and clubs after school, but I also did to. I always gave up my time to help them, but when I needed help they didn't care.

As I entered college, I remember my dad telling me to not let anyone to take advantage of me. He told me the difference of helping people and them taking advantage of my kindness. Anyone who knows me, knows I always take my time out to help people even if that means delaying my plans or homework. But there are some people who continue to take advantage of me. It's partly my fault also, because I always offer to help even when they don't need it. I have to know when I'm being too nice. I'm told I am a very nice and caring person, but I didn't think there was such a things as being too nice.

I realized, it's up to me to figure out if people are taking advantage of me. I have grown to say "no" more often if I do feel like I am being taken advantage of. Because, when people continue to ask me to do things when they know I am busy, they know I always give in. Also, when I do something for someone they'll act like I'm their best friend, until I'm done doing the task. Then, they'll act like I don't exist and sit in my row and pretend I'm not there. Or they will be nice to me when I'm helping them while working, but then when I'm off duty they won't even say hello to me.

Never let anyone take advantage of your kindness. I have had that happen to me too many times. But I have also grown a backbone and told people I couldn't do some things. I will always be nice to people because I treat them the way I want to be treated, but I will not let people take advantage of me. Those are the type of people who are inconsiderate of other people's feelings. If you ever feel like people are taking advantage of your kindness, please get out of that situation, because no one deserves that. Especially not kind and helpful people.