Do you think you are being used?

You're sailing on a dream-boat of a relationship and everything is hunky-dory, except for that niggling suspicion that your partner is the captain of the boat and you're being taken for a merry ride.

Have your friends been hinting that you're in a one-sided relationship and being used? You may not like to believe it of your "loving" partner or even admit to yourself, but shrug off the comforting denial blanket.

Don't sell yourself short, and you could be being used for sex, money, companionship or status. Does this throw up red flags? Look for these signs and then head to a quick break-up.

Dates are mostly in the bedroom
You are a few months into the relationship but mainly meeting up at each other's homes after or before work? Is food delivered to your doorstep? Ideally, dates should involve going out, sometimes with friends, or doing activities that interest you – movies, treks, cultural festivals, etc. But if you spend more time "doing" than talking, there is a high chance that you are nothing more than a "booty" call. While a sexual connection is appreciable, for a healthy relationship, you need to connect on other, deeper levels too. Not being introduced to friends or colleagues after a month or so is a sure sign something is wrong.

All you do is date
On the flip side, if you're only meeting for dinners and movies and not really hanging out after a few months, you could just be a ticket to a good time. If you're paying for all your entertainment as a couple, then you might be just a meal ticket, or worse still a ploy to make an ex jealous. Does your partner enjoy taking you to office parties or show you off in front of friends and colleagues? Pay attention to his/her behaviour in public places. Do they enjoy rattling off your accomplishments to people you meet? You might just be a trophy then.

After a few weeks of dating, a relationship should move to more intimate experiences like hanging out together at home, chilling with family, etc. If your mate shows no signs of wanting to get off the dating train, but expects you to wine and dine them, it's time you get off.

(S)he is always short of money
It could start with a little change here and there, to get a cab home, but slowly the denominations keep getting bigger. And the money never comes back. Loaning or trusting each other with money is a stage that should come pretty late in a relationship, when you are comfortable living out of each-others pockets. It's a wonderful feeling to have someone to rely on or help out, but it is equally distressing to realise that you're withdrawing a little extra cash every time you meet, just out of habit. Stop lending money and see if your partner sticks around.

(S)he comes over when (s)he is bored
Of course, it's a great feeling to spend as much time together as possible when you are interested in the person. But is the feeling mutual? Can you drop in any time you want to? Or does (s)he have other plans or is busy when you want to come by? Sometimes, a person could just latch on to another because they are afraid of being alone, especially if they are new in town.

In such a case, your company is all (s)he is interested in, rather than you as a person. If the "drop-by" plans are always last minute and you aren't included in his or her other plans, then you are just replacing the television.