Free

Why do people fall constantly for free stuff, freebies, free gifts, free counselling, free pills etc? How is it different from begging? when do people draw that line between accepting something for free and getting something for free? I make it sound so complicated but actually the answer is simple - when the giver announces without being asked then it does not hurt the ego of the receiver but if the person receiving had to ask for something without having to pay for it then the person who is asking for things considers himself to be begging. And the giver too considers that he has given alms. There also situations whereby we give away things moved with pity, there we consider that we are helping someone even though we are helping a beggar we draw a clear line mentally.