Egocentricity and My Moral Dilemma

So I said something to a friend of mine, and honestly, I thought I said it more because I figured it would bring about a slightly philosophical discussion (and because I thought he would think it was interesting) than because I actually believed it. But the longer I thought about the more I began to realize it is true.

People, generally speaking, are selfish creatures. My comment was, "People are generally egocentric beings. Generally, we say things that will elicit a response, that in turn, will give us an excuse to continue talking about ourselves."
I don't think people really listen anymore. We wait for the break so we can continue talking ourselves. This is how subjects change so quickly. And I will admit sometimes the egotism is unintentional. I mean you could be telling a great story and the person you are telling it to wants to relate so they start telling you about their experience. This of course is not what you wanted, you wanted to continue talking about you. My your friend wasn't intentionally trying to railroad the story (usually) though. It is just how we work.

Now I only bring up egocentricity because I can see it in the things I have been doing in regards to my moral dilemma, and as you read on I am sure you will think I am quite self-centered, so I guess I prefaced with my justification.

My moral dilemma deals with relationships. I use to be of the Golden Rule school. Do onto others and all that. This basically equates to I won't mess with yours so don't mess with mine. It puts a lot of faith in karma, and hope that the majority of people are like you.
You can see where that has gotten me.
So I decided to bend the needle of the compass slightly. Anyone who isn't married or engaged is fair game.

Now I have a lot of my girlfriends mad at me for this little turn of events. They say I am breaking some sort of girl code. Which I could be, but that is a whole other debate. They keep telling me that I can't go after guys with girlfriends (this only came up 'cause the two guys I am slightly interested in both have girlfriends). Now, intellectually speaking I understand why I shouldn't, but I can also see why it is okay. I mean I am not throwing myself at these guys, I am just making it known that I am interested, and if they think they might be interested or if their situation changes call me. If they are in love with other people temptation will not prevail, but now he is aware and I have put forth the effort. It's honest and it's up front.

Now these same girls that are mad at me for chasing spoken for men are giving me advice like: "just become his friend that way you are there when the bottom falls with him and his girlfriend, and also you are in a position to point out her short comings and your strong points."
This just blows me away, after telling me not go after a guy with a girlfriend, you are telling me it is okay to play games with him, and exploit a situation so I am in the right place if the right time ever occurs. And you wonder why guys think the worst of women...I don't want to play games, first I am not good at them, second I don't want to be the sneaky conniving little bitch who is like every other girl he has ever met. What is wrong with playing it straight up, other than guys don't know what to make of it 'cause they are so conditioned by the games?

I guess in the end whats done is done, and I am not is any different position. Is it really all that wrong what I am doing? I should probably think it is wrong being that I want to find someone to spend the rest of my life with, and yet I don't plan on getting married. Maybe I am just so tired of being alone now that I'm not worrying about the future.