Are you sick and tired of the drama and manipulation of the ego game?

We all play the ego game in one form or another.
The salesman will appeal to your vanity. “This looks so good on you….” “A beautiful woman like you needs this…” “A man like you will look good behind the wheel…
The needy friend who wants your constant reminders will beg you to confirm your devotion. “Are you really my friend?” “Would a friend act like this?”
Some women get this all the time. “You are just so hot, beautiful, sweet, nice,etc. (translation- I just want to get in your pants and you better respond to me or you’re a bitch)
But some men who have their own esteem can see this from a mile away also. I say, don’t manipulate me if it’s not without strings. Don’t make nice because you want me in your club, on your side or to be your ego cheerleader. In my mind a compliment is a compliment but I can also find an authentic one for just about anyone. My ego can’t but my true self can.

If I say something about you whether it be noticeable or not, you can rest assured it’s not because I am “being nice”. If I extend a compliment to you it’s honest and I expect nothing from you. In fact I hate the former type of nice because it’s suffocating to my authentic nature.
My own understanding of “the ego/self” is that it has no substance and must be propped up constantly. And only that which has no existence fears non existence and must be stroked, coddled or cajoled. An existential thing just is. It is the thing that is offended, hurt, outraged by imaginations, holds grudges, keeps score and is dependent on a winner and a loser. My aim is to leave it like a monkey suit by the side of the road along with the drama. Of course I’m a work in progress. What’s your take? Dive in the water’s fine….deep but fine