Many choosing beggars either want huge discounts for products that their hearts are set on or… they want things completely for free or exposure. Calling these people ‘cheap’ would do a disservice to just how impolite and demanding some of them truly are.

Rudeness and a false sense of entitlement are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choosing beggars. You see, they think they’re special and that the entire world has to dance to their tune because… well… just because!

A representative of the London-based Freelancer Club explained to me in a previous interview about saying ‘no’ to unpaid work. The organization aims to put a stop to exploitative unpaid work and late payments in the freelance sector.

“We are working hard to change the culture around working for exposure, experience, prestige, and the promise of paid work in the future by educating new and aspiring freelancers. We highlight the impact it has on their career, show them how valuable they are, and work on their self-worth,” the representative told Bored Panda earlier. “On the company side, we show them how paying freelancers fairly is better for their bottom line as well as their long-term reputation. In addition, we are pressuring the government to change legislation that will provide more legal protection for freelancers who are clearly being exploited for their talent.”

Those people and companies that suggest to others that they should work for exposure instead of for money end up showing everyone how they view others and what they think they’re worth.

“Many see freelancers, particularly in the creative sector, as hobbyists and believe they can get away with ‘paying’ in exposure. They leverage their audience size, their brand name, or the allure of gaining recognition. This is why services in exchange for exposure is commonplace in glamourous sectors such as fashion, music, and film,” the rep from the Freelancer Club said.

“From a freelancer point of view, they are often told that working for exposure is a rite of passage or an essential part of building a portfolio by their teachers, college professors, and peers. This has created a culture of exploitation that we must address at both ends. At Freelancer Club, we take a hardline and suggest freelancers say ‘no.’ The issue is that some ‘freelancers’ are individuals with a passion who will freely give their work away for exposure whilst professionals rely on payment to survive. This muddies the water.”