Some people are an annoyance: they will suck off of you and bother you and steal your energy and resources. These people have no desire to become self-sustaining but do not actively intend harm.

The acceptance of the parasite allows a space for the camouflaged predator to approach. The predator is self-sustaining by ruining you completely.

Some people allow the parasite, which opens them up (softens them) to the predator. Others maintain a vigilant stance against any suffering by refusing empathy, which protects them against future predation.

The difficulty is judging people: beyond the parasites and predators, a third option is a person who requires a boost before weening themselves into self-sustaining behavior.