This happened about 12 years ago.

I used to teach zumba with a couple other instructors at a large venue twice a week and it would be packed. We would often set up "zumbathons" on other days to raise money for various causes, like the Red Cross, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and also for smaller groups, like a local youth group that was raising money to go on a mission trip.

We were happy to teach and bring our music system, as long as the group promoted the event to their members and provided us with a place to hold it.

I had someone call me who was raising money for her "team" that was supposed to be getting donations for a cause they were supporting. She wanted us to do a zumbathon, but she didn't have a place to hold it or people who would attend. Her idea was that I'd hold it during my regular class and donate the pay I would have received to her. So basically her idea of doing work to raise money for her own charitable contribution was to get someone else to do it and let her take credit.

I explained that I taught for a living and wasn't interested in giving up a day of earnings but she didn't understand and suggested that I ask one of the other instructors to do it for her.

I don't know why she didn't just ask all her family and friends to donate a day of pay for her cause instead of me, a stranger, but years later I still shake my head at her nerve.

Just got a (long) message from somebody looking to start a YouTube channel, and their idea is to interview other channels, but have those channels do all the work. We have a channel, and they demand that "we come up with a creative way to film" and "rather than send a camera crew over, you use your own equipment for your ease", with multiple requirements on what equipment you have and how you film. Of course, there was the classic "it'll be great exposure for you"...which is particularly hilarious in this case as the channel has not even been created, so has no subs and no following.

So essentially, we/others do all the hard work, and they then post it on their channel and make the money.

Worth a try I suppose, using already established people to do your work for you :D.

...even our smallest gig requires $15,000 of equipment (instruments, cables, PA, lights), 4 hours for his 1 hour performance (travel, setup, sound check, breakdown) and taking off early without pay from our band members' jobs. This doesnt even consider the hours spent practicing.

All to play at his party for $15 each person; or should I say $3.75 an hour each member. They weren't even offering food or beverages.

We do it for the love of music where the pay is more of a token of appreciation.

Playing for "exposure bucks" is just plain insulting, and I didn't bother responding.

Edit: for a charitable cause or good friends, I usually wouldn't even ask for money, but I didn't even know these people

Are you a landscaper? Do you fancy four days of back breaking work for less than minimum wage? Fancy paying for materials too?

Then have I got a job for you, please be aware I'm holding interviews and I expect a lot of interest so be prepared for some messing about and micro management.

This happened a few years ago when we lived in San Francisco. My husband was driving and we were stopped at an intersection. There was a woman panhandling at the corner. Her sign said "Hungry Vegan." At the time I was pregnant so I was usually hungry and carried several Lara bars in my purse, which contain lots of dates and nuts. So I roll down the window and hand her a vegan, gluten free, non-GMO, organic, high protein Lara bar.

She screams at me: ONE CANNOT SUBSIST ON BARS ALONE! I WANT WHOLE FOOD!

As my friend said.... vegans need hooch too. Maybe she would have accepted vodka made from organic non-GMO potatoes.

Not my post but I believe this would qualify

https://preview.redd.it/zrvev048qboa1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=820cee66b9250a4ef01555514354ea98f6b243be