Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

I have a friend who has a problem. She is an intelligent, attractive, self-sufficient, 28-year-old female who can't seem to function without a boyfriend. Because of this affliction, she settles for some pretty unsavory characters. Neither I, nor other friends know how to get her to understand that she needs to get rid of these creeps.

I will admit, I've fallen victim to my share of idiots. It is a difficult thing to move on when you are confused, emotionally attached, and holding onto the fact that "he wasn't always like this, so it's just a phase". He can play all the games he wants: not calling when he says he will, standing me up every now and then, and generally acting retarded; but as time passes, I'm less tolerant of the games. When my last nerve is shot, I will curse him out and keep stepping. Nobody's gonna verbally abuse me and get away with it. *Hmph*

Yet this friend hasn't gotten the memo. She hangs on and endures blatant verbal abuse. I am concerned that eventually the verbal abuse will lead to physical abuse. If a guy says "get out of here, I don't f-----g want to talk to you" and slams the door in your face, I think you have 2 options: ring the bell until he opens the door, then curse him out and run away OR wait until he contacts you (which he will eventually) and THEN curse him out and run away. Trying to play the meek role never works, so you might as well just accept the fact that you need to tell him about himself. Do it and get it over with. But you DO NOT stand on the doorstep for 15 minutes and then give him the opportunity to open the door and say "I thought I told you to get the f!@# out of here!"

It doesn't matter that you guys had good times in the past. Statements like "get the f%!@ out of here" show that he really doesn't care. Good Times was just a TV show anyway...it can't be an excuse to put up with crap.

This brings to mind a scene from the movie "Basic Instinct":

Sharon Stone: Can I call you Nicky? Your ex-wife used to call you that, didn't she?
Michael Douglas: (silence) what did Manny [her deceased husband] used to call you?
Sharon Stone: Bitch, mostly.

I thought it was pretty funny (for a movie), but sad (because it's reality for some people). I don't want my friend to end up like that.