50 Times ‘Choosing Beggars’ Got A Harsh Yet Satisfying Reality Check (Best Of All Time)

Imagine getting a free ride, then telling your driver to get a more comfortable car because theirs is too old. While most of us would be grateful for the gesture, some people may see this act of generosity as an opportunity to demand more, and more, and more. EnterChoosing Beggars, a subreddit dedicated to showcasing ungrateful attitudes and shameless entitlement.Avid Bored Panda readers might remember thatwe’ve coveredthe communitya few timesalready, but with 2.6 million members, it’s so active that one can easily get lost in its content. So, we decided to put together a collection of its funniest and most infuriating posts of all time.Continue scrolling to check them out, and don’t miss the chat we had with therapist and relationship expert Dr. Steven Stosny—you’ll find it between the images.This post may includeaffiliate links.RELATED:To gain a better understanding of these interactions, we got in touch with Dr. Steven Stosny, founder ofCompassion Powerin suburban Washington, DC, and author of several books on improving relationships.“There are two major types of entitlement,” he toldBored Panda.“In the first, the entitled feel superior. If not acknowledged as having superior rights and privileges, they may feel inferior. Superiority and inferiority are opposite sides of the same coin.““The second type is compensatory. Those who suffer from it see themselves as victims of unfair treatment and therefore entitled to special privileges as compensation. ‘It’s so hard being me. I shouldn’t have to wait in line too.'“As you can see from the pictures, we can run into entitled people at school, work, and other areas of everyday life. Researchers Emily Zitek and Alexander Jordan studied the behavior and published their findings inSocial Psychological and Personality Science.All in all, Zitek and Jordan conducted six experiments. They first tested how 1,259 individuals would behave during a basic word search task where it was essential to follow instructions. The researchers found that those with a high sense of entitlement were less likely to comply with the given directions.From there, they tested different scenarios to see whether punishment, framing the task as optional, or reducing the perceived personal cost would lead them to comply. None of these tactics worked.Entitled people do not follow instructions because they would rather take a loss themselves than agree to something they perceive to be unfair to them, the researchers concluded.So what do we do when we run into these people?Stosny, author ofLiving and Loving After BetrayalandHow to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It, said that one of the best strategies is to “ignore their sense of entitlement and act according to your own sense of fairness.“However, if you do find yourselves in a conflict with them, try not to take their coping mechanisms personally.Two years ago I saw that guy with the gas can begging for money. Tried to give him four dollars, but he said he doesn’t take anything less than five. After that I saw him there everyday for months. Turns out he’s a fraud with a new Jeep and a nice house. Been following him with this sign since.“Confronting them or arguing with them creates pointless power struggles, which are likely to increase their sense of entitlement,” Stosny added.“Ignoring it is the best policy.“In professional environments, Zitek and Jordan — the authors of the aforementioned study — advise framing instructions to the entitled in ways that make them seem fairer or more legitimate. (Making sure they’re satisfied could help operations run smoothly, at least for the time being.)The authors offered another tip: “If the instructions come from an in-group member such as a peer instead of from an authority figure, perhaps entitled individuals would be more likely to view the instructions as fair and therefore follow them.“See Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaContinue reading with Bored Panda PremiumUnlimited contentAd-free browsingDark modeSubscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign InSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaModal closeAdd New ImageModal closeAdd Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.Not your original work?Add sourcePublish

Avid Bored Panda readers might remember thatwe’ve coveredthe communitya few timesalready, but with 2.6 million members, it’s so active that one can easily get lost in its content. So, we decided to put together a collection of its funniest and most infuriating posts of all time.

Continue scrolling to check them out, and don’t miss the chat we had with therapist and relationship expert Dr. Steven Stosny—you’ll find it between the images.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

RELATED:To gain a better understanding of these interactions, we got in touch with Dr. Steven Stosny, founder ofCompassion Powerin suburban Washington, DC, and author of several books on improving relationships.“There are two major types of entitlement,” he toldBored Panda.“In the first, the entitled feel superior. If not acknowledged as having superior rights and privileges, they may feel inferior. Superiority and inferiority are opposite sides of the same coin.““The second type is compensatory. Those who suffer from it see themselves as victims of unfair treatment and therefore entitled to special privileges as compensation. ‘It’s so hard being me. I shouldn’t have to wait in line too.'“As you can see from the pictures, we can run into entitled people at school, work, and other areas of everyday life. Researchers Emily Zitek and Alexander Jordan studied the behavior and published their findings inSocial Psychological and Personality Science.All in all, Zitek and Jordan conducted six experiments. They first tested how 1,259 individuals would behave during a basic word search task where it was essential to follow instructions. The researchers found that those with a high sense of entitlement were less likely to comply with the given directions.From there, they tested different scenarios to see whether punishment, framing the task as optional, or reducing the perceived personal cost would lead them to comply. None of these tactics worked.Entitled people do not follow instructions because they would rather take a loss themselves than agree to something they perceive to be unfair to them, the researchers concluded.So what do we do when we run into these people?Stosny, author ofLiving and Loving After BetrayalandHow to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It, said that one of the best strategies is to “ignore their sense of entitlement and act according to your own sense of fairness.“However, if you do find yourselves in a conflict with them, try not to take their coping mechanisms personally.Two years ago I saw that guy with the gas can begging for money. Tried to give him four dollars, but he said he doesn’t take anything less than five. After that I saw him there everyday for months. Turns out he’s a fraud with a new Jeep and a nice house. Been following him with this sign since.“Confronting them or arguing with them creates pointless power struggles, which are likely to increase their sense of entitlement,” Stosny added.“Ignoring it is the best policy.“In professional environments, Zitek and Jordan — the authors of the aforementioned study — advise framing instructions to the entitled in ways that make them seem fairer or more legitimate. (Making sure they’re satisfied could help operations run smoothly, at least for the time being.)The authors offered another tip: “If the instructions come from an in-group member such as a peer instead of from an authority figure, perhaps entitled individuals would be more likely to view the instructions as fair and therefore follow them.“See Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaContinue reading with Bored Panda PremiumUnlimited contentAd-free browsingDark modeSubscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign InSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored Panda

Text exchange showing a reality check to a choosing beggar demanding a refund and inconvenience fee.

Text exchange of choosing beggar getting unexpected reality check over free merch request.

To gain a better understanding of these interactions, we got in touch with Dr. Steven Stosny, founder ofCompassion Powerin suburban Washington, DC, and author of several books on improving relationships.“There are two major types of entitlement,” he toldBored Panda.“In the first, the entitled feel superior. If not acknowledged as having superior rights and privileges, they may feel inferior. Superiority and inferiority are opposite sides of the same coin.““The second type is compensatory. Those who suffer from it see themselves as victims of unfair treatment and therefore entitled to special privileges as compensation. ‘It’s so hard being me. I shouldn’t have to wait in line too.'”

“There are two major types of entitlement,” he toldBored Panda.

“In the first, the entitled feel superior. If not acknowledged as having superior rights and privileges, they may feel inferior. Superiority and inferiority are opposite sides of the same coin.”

“The second type is compensatory. Those who suffer from it see themselves as victims of unfair treatment and therefore entitled to special privileges as compensation. ‘It’s so hard being me. I shouldn’t have to wait in line too.'”

“Review and tweet mocking a choosing beggar demanding fast service for 63 subs."

Tweet highlighting a choosing beggar situation with Huffington Post’s unpaid work request.

Sign listing reasons pet grooming costs more than a haircut, with humorous comparisons to a hairdresser’s duties.

As you can see from the pictures, we can run into entitled people at school, work, and other areas of everyday life. Researchers Emily Zitek and Alexander Jordan studied the behavior and published their findings inSocial Psychological and Personality Science.All in all, Zitek and Jordan conducted six experiments. They first tested how 1,259 individuals would behave during a basic word search task where it was essential to follow instructions. The researchers found that those with a high sense of entitlement were less likely to comply with the given directions.From there, they tested different scenarios to see whether punishment, framing the task as optional, or reducing the perceived personal cost would lead them to comply. None of these tactics worked.Entitled people do not follow instructions because they would rather take a loss themselves than agree to something they perceive to be unfair to them, the researchers concluded.

All in all, Zitek and Jordan conducted six experiments. They first tested how 1,259 individuals would behave during a basic word search task where it was essential to follow instructions. The researchers found that those with a high sense of entitlement were less likely to comply with the given directions.

From there, they tested different scenarios to see whether punishment, framing the task as optional, or reducing the perceived personal cost would lead them to comply. None of these tactics worked.

Entitled people do not follow instructions because they would rather take a loss themselves than agree to something they perceive to be unfair to them, the researchers concluded.

Man sitting under humorous horse mural with text about a client asking for cheaper work, highlighting choosing beggars.

Printed note on wall highlighting a harsh reality check about valuing time and expertise over minutes spent.

Text exchange showcasing a photographer receiving a reality check from a potential client, embodying the ‘choosing beggars’ theme.

A “choosing beggar” meme with a burger, water, and social media comments about being broke.

So what do we do when we run into these people?Stosny, author ofLiving and Loving After BetrayalandHow to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It, said that one of the best strategies is to “ignore their sense of entitlement and act according to your own sense of fairness.“However, if you do find yourselves in a conflict with them, try not to take their coping mechanisms personally.

So what do we do when we run into these people?

Stosny, author ofLiving and Loving After BetrayalandHow to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It, said that one of the best strategies is to “ignore their sense of entitlement and act according to your own sense of fairness.”

However, if you do find yourselves in a conflict with them, try not to take their coping mechanisms personally.

Two years ago I saw that guy with the gas can begging for money. Tried to give him four dollars, but he said he doesn’t take anything less than five. After that I saw him there everyday for months. Turns out he’s a fraud with a new Jeep and a nice house. Been following him with this sign since.

Man holding a sign about fraud on a roadside, reflecting the ‘Choosing Beggars’ reality check theme.

Tweet responding to a choosing beggar about art pricing and self-sufficiency.

Chat exchange showing a firm $1200 price disagreement with a choosing beggar seeking discounts.

Text exchange about not buying a baby shower gift due to not being invited, highlighting choosing beggars dynamics.

“Confronting them or arguing with them creates pointless power struggles, which are likely to increase their sense of entitlement,” Stosny added.“Ignoring it is the best policy.”

“Confronting them or arguing with them creates pointless power struggles, which are likely to increase their sense of entitlement,” Stosny added.

“Ignoring it is the best policy.”

Text conversation highlighting a “choosing beggar” trying to negotiate a price but receiving a firm reality check.

“Craigslist post about giving away a free 46-inch TV, expressing frustration with entitled responses."

UNO Reverse

Text exchange with a choosing beggar asking for $200, getting a job link in San Diego as a reality check.

In professional environments, Zitek and Jordan — the authors of the aforementioned study — advise framing instructions to the entitled in ways that make them seem fairer or more legitimate. (Making sure they’re satisfied could help operations run smoothly, at least for the time being.)The authors offered another tip: “If the instructions come from an in-group member such as a peer instead of from an authority figure, perhaps entitled individuals would be more likely to view the instructions as fair and therefore follow them.”

The authors offered another tip: “If the instructions come from an in-group member such as a peer instead of from an authority figure, perhaps entitled individuals would be more likely to view the instructions as fair and therefore follow them.”

Image of a notice titled “Photographer looking for people to do their job for free,” highlighting a classic “choosing beggar” scenario.

Hand pressing a blue button labeled “You’ve ruined my children’s Christmas,” representing choosing beggars.

Embroidery showcasing choosing beggars getting a reality check with messages like “Artists Have Bills To Pay” and “Pay Artists."

“Text exchange showing a ‘choosing beggar’ attempting to lowball a $1000 computer for $25."

Chat conversation shows a “choosing beggar” requesting free art, ending with a humorous pencil drawing.

Sign about choosing beggars: “Be like Terry, happy with free beer. Don’t be like Leigh A., who complains about free beer variety."

Tweet highlighting a reality check for choosing beggars seeking free work for “exposure” using Washington’s portrait as an example.

Text exchange highlighting a “choosing beggar” seeking a free book download and receiving a firm refusal.

Text exchange highlighting a reality check for a choosing beggar over blackberry bush theft.

Text conversation showing a choosing beggar asking for a birthday discount and getting a reality check about pricing.

Hand holding a pin with text “Can you draw me for free? No.” highlighting choosing beggars humor.

Bali addressing choosing beggars, three tourists walking through lush greenery.

Text conversation about tattoo pricing where a customer requests a lower price and the seller insists on the full price, giving a reality check.

Chat negotiation with a choosing beggar attempting to lower the iPhone price, meeting a firm refusal.

Chat conversation showing a choosing beggar who first offers $90, then lowers to $70 before being offered $100.

Chat screenshot featuring a “choosing beggar” negotiating a Nintendo bundle price unsuccessfully.

Text conversation highlighting a choosing beggar demanding a large painting for free, ending in frustration.

Social media exchange on tipping, featuring a humorous reality check for choosing beggars.

Can’t Go Any Lower Than That

Text screenshot of a food bank post with a table of groceries highlighting a ‘choosing beggar’ moment.

Text exchange of someone requesting a free cake for exposure, receiving a critical response.