[yummyfajitas]

There is a simple flag you can set (it's called "Add Liquidity Only" or "Post Only", depending on the venue) which will result in HFT's never trading with you. Strangely, most "real traders" never set this flag.

https://www.chrisstucchio.com/blog/2014/how_to_not_get_rippe...

The reason is that it's not a matter of waiting a whole second and being guaranteed a fill. It's placing an order and accepting execution risk; maybe you get a fill, maybe you are stuck holding a tanking stock.

[mrchicity]

If you define HFTs as passive spread/rebate-capturing single instrument market-makers, then yes, but many prop HFTs operate a "hybrid" model where they sometimes cross the spread to flatten their book, or cross if an arbitrage presents itself. There are even HFT strategies that are primarily liquidity taking.