Entitled cousin demands job seeker gives him a cut of his new salary because they discussed career goals at his house: 'He started hinting that he deserved something for it'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

It is an unspoken but widely accepted rule in the corporate world that to get ahead, it is not necessarily what you know, but who you know that is going to help you climb that godforsaken ladder. Countless careers have been made over the years purely because people were in the right place, at the right time, having the right conversation with the right person. When there are so many job seekers out there sending out resume after resume to no avail, it can seem unfair—and sometimes it is. Still, there are plenty of hardworking individuals for whom this lucky chance is well-deserved.

One of the potential issues that can arise when somebody gets a job this way is that others begin to think that they owe them something. While gratitude is important, this isn't always the case, and it can easily sour the relief of starting a new position.

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    My cousin thinks he deserves a cut of my salary because I got hired after talking about job hunting in his living room

    A few months ago, I visited my cousin for a casual afternoon hangout. I had just moved into my own place in the city and was in the middle of job hunting. Nothing serious we were just catching up and talking about where life was heading. While I was there, one of his friends came over and he seemed cool. The three of us ended up talking about careers, choices, timing typical adult catch-up stuff. I happened to mention I was looking for roles in a specific industry. It wasn't a pitch or a request
    via Main_duction
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10520474112
    via Toa Heftiba (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • One job seeker faced exactly this issue after his cousin began demanding a regular cut of his salary because he indirectly guided him towards a new job. He had been visiting his house when he saw one of his cousin's friends, and they began casually discussing career goals.

    After the visit, this friend sent him the details of a job opening, which he applied for and was successful. In response, the cousin decided that he deserved to see a profit from this, which the new employee refused. He shared his story.

  • 03
    Apparently, that friend remembered because a few days later, he reached out and said he might be able to connect me with someone hiring. I followed up, sent my resume, and went through a standard hiring process that is interviews, reference checks, the usual. A few weeks later, I got the job. It was a great opportunity, and I was thankful he helped connect me. My cousin said congrats at first. But soon enough he started acting strange. He began saying things like the job only happened because I
    via Main_duction
  • 04
    Then one day, he actually sent me his bank details and said I should send him some money regularly, since the connection came through his house. I never replied and then I started hearing about the shitty things he has been saying behind my back to relatives and even mutual friends. It still blows my mind that someone thinks they deserve money just because I talked about my goals in their living room
    via Main_duction
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    Cheezburger Image 10520474368
    via Toa Heftiba (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 06

    Outsiders did not have any sympathy for the cousin's entitlement.

    unlikelyandroid Told my mother that I wanted a little brother so now he owes me 5% of his working life in indentured servitude.
    via unlikelyandroid
  • 07
    WhisperLuxey Cousin wants am award for doing nothing
    via WhisperLuxey
  • 08
    HeyPrettyLadyMaam I'm sure the cousin has a closet full of participation trophies.
    via HeyPrettyLadyMaam
  • 09
    linden214 To get a participation trophy, you first have to participate. It doesn't sound like the cousin has ever done that-certainly not in this case.
    via linden214
  • 10
    Icy_Entertainee Let's hear it for the cousin of the year
    via Icy_Entertainee
  • 11
    Healthy_Brain5354 If anyone should be getting a cut surely it's his friend no? Since cousin did nothing but be there
    via Healthy_Brain5354
  • 12
    Main_duction OP I offered his friend an appreciation token but he declined, he said he was happy to help.
    via Main_duction
  • 13
    Zealousideal-Cod-924 It's a common enough form of corruption in some countries.
    via Zealousideal-Cod-924
  • 14
    DeepAd3343 Tell that mf to go outside and apologize to the trees
    via DeepAd3343
  • 15
    ianishomer Yesterday I flashed 5 cars, that were speeding, to warn them of a police camera ahead, how do I find their addresses so that I can claim a % of the fine they would have paid?
    via ianishomer
  • 16
    MmeGenevieve Does your cousin think he's in the Mafia or something?
    via MmeGenevieve
  • 17
    Candy_For_Naughty With cousins like this who needs haters?
    via Candy_For_Naughty
  • 18
    SkeletorOnLSD Ask him if he'd take a gift. Send him some size 15s and a makeup kit, because he's a fucking clown.
    via SkeletorOnLSD
  • 19
    jackfaire Even head hunters don't get a cut of your pay in perpetuity.
    via jackfaire
  • 20
    HobbyPanda FT6 Is your cousin going to work your job for you? If not, then no. You don't live there. You don't owe him money. He's being a parasite for even suggesting that. If the behavior persists, block him everywhere and go no contact.
    via HobbyPanda_FT6
  • 21
    Remarkable-Round-227 Your cousin is an irrational person, no sane person thinks like this. There would be no point in arguing the matter with him, because, as I said, he's irrational.
    via Remarkable-Round-227
  • 22
    Taniwha26 I would have a field day with this loser. I'd make it all public. Inviting all my family to a celebration of his incredible deeds. Buy him a cape and crown. Each week I'd send out a 'cousin of the week' and he'd win each one. I'd ask them all, via an online questionnaire, what his best attributes were, and what percentage of your wage was a good monthly restitution.
    via Taniwha26
  • 23
    bakewelltart20 A friend of mine had a baby years ago, she met the father at my house. If she hadn't come to stay with me she wouldn't have had the baby. The baby is now an adult, I wonder how much he's earning? Surely I'm entitled to a cut of it
    via bakewelltart20

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work new job family entitled people salary family drama friends reddit thread Reddit cousins cousin job application
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