your definition of 'guilt trip' is correct but a lot of people manipulate situations like that because of their fear of admitting they're wrong. it's not right, but it happens. in abundance.

don't lose your mind. in the long run it won't be worth it. cork it in, wait for me.

A guilt trip is, as you say, forcing someone to feel guilty to manipulate them in some way. To me, it implies an ulterior motive.

If they've hurt you and you want them to stop? That doesn't seem so "ulterior" to me, so that would make asking them to stop not a guilt trip, in my book. There might be more to it, but I guess it also depends on how you ask. "Why do you hate me so much? How come you always ruin my life? You were my last friend and now the whole world is against me!" is vastly different from, "Dude, what you just said hurt. If you can't rephrase it, I'd like to never talk about it again."

Obviously I'm making things up here for sake of an example, but one of those is a guilt trip, and one of those is setting boundaries. I've been on both sides of the "setting boundaries" conversation with both family and friends, and there are definitely initial hard feelings, but I've yet to not have it come out better in the end*.

* For the record, I did have a friendship go on a 2 year hiatus, but given the stress at the time... that was "better in the end." We've recovered nicely, though.

Hehe... yeah, the "too honest/asshole" thing is what I meant by "initial hard feelings." Keep on as you are =)

Keep in mind, I was only offering input on what helps me sleep better at night. Through my method, I either A) fix the issue, or B) have no feelings of remorse if I lose the friendship in question, since I made and effort and it was spurned.

I disagree with everyone.....you are definately losing your mind....what's left anyway. ;P

I'm going to pistolwhip the next person to say "Shenanigans"

Hey, any chance (totally unrelated) that you still need/want a cd rack or two?