Opportunist or Manipulator?

applecruncher

applecruncher

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What's the difference?

The other evening a few friends and I were discussing how we define each, and giving examples.

While I think they often overlap, (without copying/pasting the dictionary definition), I feel there is a definite difference.

OPPORTUNIST exploits someone or a situation in order to gain something. It might be something large or small, but they always have something to gain. They might create an opportunity, or it might fall into their lap, but they cleverly seize the moment.

MANIPULATOR wants to control/change a person's thinking and behavior. They are usually skillful liars and often backstabbers.

Both are good at feigning innocence.

I've had to deal with both types, when I was working and also personally - as I'm sure many of you have. Of the two, I find manipulators to be most irritating because they insult my intelligence.

Thoughts?
 

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i dont find opportunists necessarily evil. living in a capitalist culture we are encouraged to be imo.
from a Christian pov though if they are treating every event as an opportunity to take instead of give then they are not living the gospel.
 
@hypochondriac

While it's true that taking an opportunity is not necessarily evil, this is not a religious discussion and has nothing to do with 'the gospel'.
 

applecruncher said:
OPPORTUNIST exploits someone or a situation in order to gain something. It might be something large or small, but they always have something to gain. They might create an opportunity, or it might fall into their lap, but they cleverly seize the moment.
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I created a poster along those lines;
19.jpg

On a serious note
I was invited to a very private party
At the top of a very tall building
Got into a conversation with an older gent well known in the city for his very successful entrepreneurial adventures
Asked him his secret
'Well, Gary, I just spot a large amount of money sitting over in a corner that nobody's touched
....so I just stroll over there and get it

Opportunists can be manipulators, but they don't have to be.
They do work alone, however, even when they give the appearance otherwise
The end result; they always have the larger pile
 
Yes, opportunists usually work alone. They have an eye on the prize, and they're focused.

Manipulators...they have several candles burning at both ends. They're busybodies, online and off. šŸ˜ They're sneaky, but usually not all that smart.
 
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Aunt Bea said:
Manipulators can be kind of amusing if you have the ability to see what they are attempting to do and casually block them at every turn.

Maybe I'm a manipulator too! :unsure:
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Life with my husband was like that. There was a constant battle of wits going on. I was usually able to get the better of him but it was very stressful. No prizes for guessing why I divorced him.
 
No, itā€™s just a saying.

When I worked, there was always an attempt to manipulate and/or lie to me every time I would question a suspect. After awhile, I expected it to happen; it was always just a matter of time. If more than one person was involved in a crime, usually I could expect them to blame each other. Whenever they would tell their story, they would usually lessen their part of the crime. I could count on it.
 
911 said:
No, itā€™s just a saying.

When I worked, there was always an attempt to manipulate and/or lie to me every time I would question a suspect. After awhile, I expected it to happen; it was always just a matter of time. If more than one person was involved in a crime, usually I could expect them to blame each other. Whenever they would tell their story, they would usually lessen their part of the crime. I could count on it.
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Dare I compare your experience to my teaching of kids. like when 2 kids get into a fight ..its he said/ they said. hard to get to the bottom of the story.
 
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