Unfortunateply, as others have said, even the mere request for
cash will make the relationship weird. No matter what you do.
When I get this request I simply respond with a lighthearted
”nobody rides for free”. If they’re too dense to get it, I follow up
with ”ass, gas or grass....I don’t smoke and my car’s tank is full....
get to work”.
Escorting is work. Plain and simple. Even though its natural to bond,
you can never forget it’s a business relationship. Keep it healthy.
Otherwise, resentment is guaranteed to develop...on both sides.