“Dry begging” is a covert psychological tactic where manipulators subtly seek praise, recognition, assistance, or favors without directly asking, sidestepping the risk of outright rejection. Instead, they employ passive cues that prompt their target to offer help, creating a runner-chaser dynamic rooted in unequal investment. This relationship resembles a parasitic bond, where the “beggar” draws emotional or material resources, much like a virus siphoning vitality from its host.