Men...excuse me BOYS...trying to get “reactions” out of you

So...there is this strange phenomenon I have been experiencing with guys and I’m sure it’s not just me. But, they do this thing where they do and or say something to provoke a negative emotion. And when you ask them why, they say it’s “to get a reaction” or “see how you’d react.” And like I said, the emotions they provoke are anger, fear, sadness. Like manipulating you, to feel shitty. Playing with your emotions to “get a reaction” for their amusement, an ego boost, control, something. It feels dirty, dishonest and immature. And reflects what kind of person they are. I have since learned and when I feel like emotions are being played with, I cut them off.

So, has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Here is one example, of many:

I told a guy something private about my last relationship and I didn’t want to have sex with him because of that. I just wanted to go with the flow and see where it went. But close to when I stopped talking to him he said “lemme smash” and I got angry. I asked him why he would ask that when I already said no before and he said “to get a reaction.” Based on what I told him, he already knew what reaction he was going to get.