.JPG)
That's the question asked by these 'charity workers'. My answer is always "No".Now I'm not uncharitable, bear with me. Cheltenhams High Street often has half a dozen or so people trying to get you to sign up to donating on a regular basis to one charity or another. As far as I am aware these people are not doing this charity work as a volunteer, they are being paid. I am quite happy to give to good causes but I don't like being trapped in the High Street by an overly friendly student, laying it on thick. I find nothing more off putting than this form of trying to raise money. I'm sure I'm not the only one, as people are often walking on by, trying to ignore the requests and saying "No". Surely the organisers of these charities must see this happening in their own town centres and realise it's not a good image to be promoting. What happened to the days of dropping a few quid into a collection pot?
There we are, rant over.
.JPG)
8 comments:
i like your post for today... i always try to avoid the marketing research people in the shopping malls... =)
I'm with you here. Isn't it enough our pay is extorted of funds though our major charity we call government? I have a list of charities that we give to on a bi-yearly basis. That should suffice wothout having to to accausted on the streets.
You are quite right about not being alone. I smile at them and say thank "you" as I continue to walk. Sometimes it takes 2-3 'thank you's' before believing what just happened.
On the other hand, it is a great pleasure to give to street performers. Anyone who is willing to 'earn' money in some way - does not matter if it is good or not, but the fact that they recognize that money is part of an exchange for services and not a matter of having a solution handed to you.
I'm always being pounced on by the female charity collectors, and the male ones go for the females. Have you noticed that? They always start with a big grin and a loud 'hello'. It's got to be quite a business, as I see the same people flogging a different charity everyday.
Way back in the early to mid-fifties (1955) when I was going back and forth between the United States and Japan, the airports were always filled with young people trying to sign you up for some religious cause and they would almost grab onto people and yank their arms. Anyway, it got so bad that they were finally banned from doing this in Airports and train stations. Yes, it is sickening.
I totally agree with you! We have lots of these people in New York too always trying to stop you for one reason or another. Like Isadora said above, I just smile and keep going. I wish organizations wouldn't try to raise funds this way. It always annoys me!!
Great post.
You know, I sometimes get a little annoyed with these pedestrian volunteers. They ask for money or your time, whatever it is. Most of the time, I donate what I can. BUT when I haven't any time or money to spare, they give me the 'you-useless-ungrateful-poor-excuse-for-a-human' look. That's when I turn back and shout at their narrow-mindedness.
I work with a group of challenged kids one a week, so don't tell me I'm useless. the world we live in is tough enough, innit? No need for bad attitude.
Ooh, end of rant.
I agree 100%, if they just stood there with a tin and sign, I might give them something, but they want credit card details, fixed terms, the whole deal.
It actually puts me right off whichever charity they represent. The fact that it's all outsourced contract labour makes it worse. If they were out there because they really believed it, that's somehow more tolerable than being paid commission to get you to sign on, and no doubt will tell you anything to make that happen.
Oh, and I enjoy the blog!
Post a Comment