Twas just the other day and while doing my usual friendly daily boxing match with 
After the bright lights of the show dimmed and I was preparing to sign of so I could get ready to go to a medical examination, I get a message from Graylan (
History time, Graylan and I have had numerous chats in the past, sometimes about considerably serious issues in life right through to light hearted banter and everything in between, I most certainly considered him a friend. (Much the same could be said about Vlad.)
Anyway, we get through the pleasantries and quickly shift into what’s been happening, I tell Graylan that im still having health issues and struggling with battling the insurer (I have written many articles on the matter), and that its been getting worse of late, no income, being treated poorly, depression, anxiety, etc. all of which is impacting my posting frequency, but im still fighting the good fight and doing what i can😊. Graylan responds with a need for working out the system and finding loopholes to get a leg up… all good so far…
Graylan starts talking about “steemit being dead” and how Smoke.io and DTube is the place to be to make money etc. then showers me with compliments and how it would be great to “have someone like me on the platform”. Well colour me flattered, but I respond with my usual, “it aint about the money for me its about the social interaction… interacting with like minded people, making friends, discussing interesting topics, etc.”.
Besides that Dtube has never really worked for me, again referring to a number of articles I have written on the subject. Graylan asks me about how I log in etc. and starts (what seems to be) trouble shooting with me, im thinking “coolies maybe it will work if I listen to him and do what he tells me”.
After some back and forth about my account, some details and how im using it, Graylan starts telling me that there is a $10 subscription fee per month to use the service hes signing me up for…. Im like "woah mate, im not down with any subscription fees, im a small account and don’t post that many videos in the first place AND like I said im not interacting as much because of my health issues, no income, etc. so I wouldn’t use it much, if at all".
But Graylan tells me that Vlad has already paid the first month for me to use it and its not a problem. I reiterate my previous statement indicating im not interested in using any paid services. I tell him im willing to check it out and help out where I can, time wise and promoting it if its good etc. The long and short is its, "thanks, but no thanks" and I have a medical appointment to get to now (which im now late for). Post event im in lots of pain and smashing meds so im pretty doped out for a couple of days.
Moving forward, I get a "merry xmas" DM from Graylan as well as a request for my email to complete the account set up and what have you… and well…. You can read the discourse for yourself…
So after being open, honest and polite about the situation and clearly some kind of misunderstanding on his end, im am met with a guilt trip , name calling and dummy spit that one would expect from a child…. Well, a child with a filthy mouth, lol. Oh and just to try to super hurt my feelings Graylan decided I should also be muted… (update: and then kicked off of Vlads server…). All this for what ? coz Gray and Vlad tried to strong arm me into using their payed subscription services and I said “no thanks”… then reiterated "no" when pressured again...
So lets get down to brass taxes here:
- Graylan asks for a chat under false pretenses.
- Vlad watches/listens silently
- Graylan Segue’s onto the topic DTube for a sales pitch.
- Tries to sneakily force me into a financial investment.
- When I say "No thanks, cant afford it and wouldn't use it" CONVENIENTLY vlad is still silently there to “pay the day”… I mean “save the day” to get a commitment.
- After saying “no” multiple times Graylan follows up after a cool down period.
- Reiterating the “no” there is a guilt trip, name calling and dummy spit.
- Additionally it appears I have also been “kicked out” of Vlads server for resisting the abuse of their behaviors combined.
Is this sounding a little premeditated to you? With particular intention ? cos it is to me....
Lets be clear here, this is straight up psychological and emotional manipulation, it is in no way acceptable behavior in my humble psychologically trained opinion. There are a number of references I could make to particular traits, but hey the DSM aint that hard to find so you can look up what this kind of behavior constitutes... so, i will leave that up to you, but let me give you a hint... it aint good ;)
I think now would be a good time to discuss consent as its clearly an issue which has played a part in this lovely adventure. I like to use the data within the video below as it is relatively simple to understand and is a clear expression of consent in general, well beyond the context expressed in the video... so please pay attention Graylan & Vlad, this jam is dedicated to both of you.
Now Graylan (
With all that being said, you now clearly understand that fundamental principal of what it means to be STRAYAN, so you may be able comprehend the spirit of this meme…
STRAYANS...
Mate
So you can call me whatever you want to in your little dummy spit tantrum coz you didn’t get you way and “close the sale”, this is a reflection on who YOU are as an individual and your actions speak louder than any words I could put together regarding the matter… but don’t get all sooky coz I called ya on it MATE 😉
Also, dont quit ya day job, Bahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
But if you feel like chatting about this further let me know, im a lovable chap, im a decent bloke, so im more than happy to set up a "pirate chat" so you can have your say on the matter, maybe you would prefer to General Voice chat again since it where it all started... but keep yo head in the game playa coz.... you dun really think you can step up.... do you ?
Oh yeah i went there..... i Marshall'd yo ass big time !!! LOL. Best get some Aloe coz you just got buuuuuuuurrrrrrned !!!! lol
Conclusion
Ok we have all had a fun time here today, we laughed we cried, some of us may have even died a little inside, lol. But its time to get serious on the subject at hand. A while ago I wrote an article on Detaching From Toxicity and I think it is quite relevant in this situation moving forward. We as individuals get to choose what kind of behavior we allow AND the people we allow into our lives. Its up to us to draw the lines in the sand on what is acceptable and how much we are willing to tolerate.
The kinds of behavior outlined are deplorable and fall directly into this category of toxicity as far as im concerned, as such I will most certainly be separating myself from these people as I don’t think taking advantage of a friendship, manipulating people psychologically and emotionally, preying on peoples kindness and weak moments , all for monetary gain…. are traits and qualities i want in people i choose to surround myself with.
Now i understand that this may be seen as a small discretion, but the volatility expressed from simply saying "no thanks" is a glimpse of what is to come. YOU choose how you allow yourself to be treated and i REFUSE to be treated this way and have no problem expressing that PLUS exposing the behavior associated with the interactions. So... take this with a grain of salt, but know this... you have been warned.
When interacting with people who do not respect you, your autonomy, your wishes and YOUR RIGHT TO SAY NO... you have to ask yourself a question...
Dont let others get the best of you, dont fall for their bullshit games and manipulations, and if you do get caught up in it dont be afraid to hit the EJECT button on the friendship at any point in time.... they just aren't worth it.