how often is it that strangers willingly offer you financial value for very little?

Even people that I have known for years, close family members and friends. It's hard to get any financial assistance for free. It's the perfect example I use in illustrating this to people. I like a quote from Robert Greene's 48 laws of power. He said

Despise the free meal. Every gift is a payment either for what you have done or what you are going to do.

I hope we'll all look out for these signs so none will fall prey to this wolves.