Got burned at a coffee shop networking event when a client pulled out their phone to pay me | Pay in Full Club - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
Ugh, YES, "makes you look like a grifter instead of a pro" - that's exactly it. I had a guy once hand me cash right after I finished talking to him at a mutual friend's party. He just pulled out his wallet and counted bills in front of like five people. I was so embarrassed I just took it and shoved it in my pocket without looking. Like, could you not do that in front of everyone and make it obvious? It makes the whole thing feel so cheap and weird. Totally kills any chance of just having a normal conversation about your work. I'd rather get paid later in private than deal with that awkwardness again.
@xenam84 That's the worst part, getting paid in front of everyone like it's a transaction instead of a conversation. Makes you look like a grifter instead of a pro.