I've been that person that "would do anything" and ended up doing things that I never thought I would do, for someone else. Once that boundary was crossed, I knew there was a major problem and that the person did not have the same basic value system as me and perecieved what I thought were my strenghts....to be weaknesses....which is also a different value system. Many of us are taught that sacrifice = strength. Some people are taught or learn to take advantage of people who are givers or who see sacrifice for others as a weakness of character.

Some people are just sociopaths and will look for ways to take advantage of people, especially people who think of charity and giving as strenghts.

Exploitation. I dont think it is human nature -- nececssarily. I think there are people who are like this, and people who are not.

If you have had experiences with people like this it can be every hard to again 'do anything' for someone for fear of being taken advantage of.

But I don't think all people are this way. And that is part of why similiar faith/religion is important to me. Christians tend to emphasize sacrfice as strength rather than a weakness to be exploited. it is important to me that I'm with someone who identifies strengths the same way as I do! Otherwise we are playing a game on field that looks entirley different to both of us. (and I've had that happen...)

Regardless of all of the above. Boundaries are important. Not to train others how to treat you, neccessarily, but in order to be true to yourself so that you know you will not cross a critical line for someone else that goes against the grain of who you ARE. You can't expect others to define for you what is important to you....and that is why boundaries are so important...

Unforunatley lots of people do get taken advantage of, and I believe expect that is how the world works, and change accordingly.

If you are creating boundaries as a game and to teach others....I think it misses the point, and it's not protecting you the way it would if they were boundaries that come from knowing what is and is not against your personal moral code of conduct.

If you do things out of love for someone that is one thing. If that person starts manipulating what they perceive to be your kindness and weakness, and you start a killing spree at their request....that would be a good example of what is (probably, based on what I know of you and most people) being taken advantage of by someone who is exploiting your weaknesses.

Maybe most people look to see what their boundaries are with others to 'see how far they can get' I know I don't. But then I was raised to see kindness as a strength and not a weakness.

However, most people will have a hard time respecting someone who does not have their own moral code. Someone who will not stand up and do the 'right thing' because they might suffer some loss (either popularity or thier SO). That is where people will lose respect for you....if you have no boundaries of your own because you are actually afraid of losing something.

Basically it comes down to being authentic. And you can't feign authenticity...for long.