You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours... but "你帮我先, 我就帮你"?

I'm sure this world is a "You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours" kind of world, but how many of you know someone who take this really too literally?
I know quite a few, even relatives, who would act upon a "you scratch my back first, then (maybe?) I'll scratch yours" basis.



Even on a very basic social level there are people like this: those who don't smile at you unless you beam at them first, those who don't start a conversation, or text, talk or even appear to notice you unless you make an effort to do so first... obviously you'll have to observe on several occasions.


Do these sound familiar?
These people seem very self-protective, perhaps for several reasons;

1. They believe they're superior to you
2. They are unconfident or have insecurities
3. They refuse to risk 'losing' face or be taken advantage of first
4. Selfish?
5. They want you to prove yourself first
6. Insocial, or perhaps past trauma?
7. And of course, there are medical reasons.

Etc.. I'm sure there are more.


Having known several people who seem to operate like this, I realised that they seem to have similarities on these lines, in addition to perhaps, fickleness, stubbornness and high levels of jealousy. Perhaps they're just searching for themselves.


I just feel that some people can be so 斤斤計較 (to haggle over every ounce; to be calculating; to be particular about trifle) and too much so.


I wonder how people you know, this reminds you of...