AITA for being turned off by a guy wanting me to pay for a portrait of myself?

Hi,
So this happened recently and I’m not sure if I’m overreacting. A guy who has asked me out a few times before (but I’ve never actually met him) commented on my Instagram story (a selfie) saying I would make a great painting. At first, it felt flattering.
But then he explained that he would paint me, but it would cost money because he does it professionally. He mentioned he could be flexible with the price, but it wouldn’t be free.
I found this really off-putting. I guess I was expecting a kind or flirty gesture since he initiated the conversation and has asked me out before. Turning it into a transaction immediately killed the vibe for me. It feels weird that he wants me to pay when he was the one initiating the idea of painting me.
I’m not saying he’s a bad person, just that it’s a big turn-off but i also feel maybe i’m just being entitled.. AITA for feeling this way?

14 thoughts on “AITA for being turned off by a guy wanting me to pay for a portrait of myself?”
  1. asked out, never met, responded to a business level inquiry, he’s still trying to get in your pants but also giving a business face to the interaction since that is the level of interaction you have indicated you’re comfortable with

  2. This post made me laugh. no you’re not the asshole. it seems like he’s trying to deal his way into a relationship. just politely decline to see his reaction. then you’ll see if he’s one of those “nice guys” or if he genuinely wanted to be sweet. it sounds like he might be trying to force his way in. think of it if he had something else, “wow you’re so pretty do you want to buy a car?” it sounds like he’s trying to persuade you to make a business. but there is the off chance he’s not a asshole but just sucks at flirting.

  3. I dunno, I see scams like this a lot online, so are you sure he’s really interested in you, or has he been a scammer all along?

  4. There’s a masterthread on r/fanfiction about scams very similar to this. It might be worth checking it out.

    And NTA

  5. It could just be he’s monetizing whichever platform you met on to promote his art and this is his idea of how to get commissions.

    But is it possible he will proceed to ‘the painting has to be nude.’ And then when you agree to go to his studio there’ll be a camera set up because he’ll need photo references. I don’t want to take this scenario any further, but men can be really awful.

    So, NTA, and end whatever scam this is.

  6. Sounds like he’s more interested in making money, but in a scammy way. He’ll do you a good one, as long as you pay for it. Imagine inviting him over for dinner, but telling him you’re a top tier chef and he’ll have to pay for the meal. I see a “block account” in your future.

  7. Yikes. You’re NTA. This sounds like some kind of weird marketing tactic lol. “Hey gorgeous, I would love to paint you… For a flexible pricing agreement.” Trust your gut.

  8. NTA, but, he wasn’t looking to date you. He was looking for work. Definitely a creepy way to go about it. But, not that different from sketch artists busking on the street.

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