I've had enough! People should not be accosted by buggers when trying to enter a business establishment!
I hesitate to call them "beggars," because they obviously are affiliated with a legitimate charity. They wear bright orange vests trimmed with yellow, and have a kind-of label hanging around their neck. It's not that I'm against their cause, which seems to be developmentally-delayed adults. I'm just not in a habit of tossing pocket change into receptacles in front of grocery stores and gas stations. I choose my charities, and donate on a bit of a larger scale, by personal check. So it's not guilt that makes me look unfavorably upon the buggers.
Friday, these people were bugging in front of 4 separate businesses that I entered. I call them "buggers," because they bug me. Even if I WAS a coin-tossing donator, how is the bugger in front of Waterside Mart supposed to know that I contributed money to the bugger in front of Orb K? Uh huh. They DON'T know that. I suppose I could have just said, "I gave at Orb K." But I didn't, because that would be a lie. When directly asked if I would like to donate, I just say, "Not today." Which is most certainly true.
I've got no problem with buggers setting up a table, or even standing off to the side. Perhaps with a sign in larger letters describing their charity. Then a person can walk over and donate at their leisure, without feeling pressured to give. Seeing them standing a couple inches from the entry make me not want to enter that establishment.
It bugs me.
You are not alone; they bug me, too!!
ReplyDeleteBugs the heck out of me too. I feel no guilt at all saying I already donated when in fact I didn't, but mostly I say I do all my donating through work collections.
ReplyDeletefishducky,
ReplyDeleteI know the buggers are donating their time to stand there, and I don't bear them any ill will. Just the organizations that think this is a good idea. Don't get me started on the ones who stand in the road at stop signs!
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River,
When my mom used to donate to the VFW, she kept the little paper flower (Buddy Poppy) that they gave for a contribution. She'd carry that with her and wave it at the buggers, to make sure they knew she already donated.
In Britain we call them chuggers (charity muggers) and they are a real pain in the ass. To me they're no different than spam phone callers.
ReplyDeleteAround My Kitchen Table
Table,
ReplyDeleteI like that! Chuggers! I can't imagine they get much money, since everybody in front of me at the convenience stores seem to be swiping cards to pay. And I'm picking up all the coins on the floor! So there can't be that much cash around for donating.
Out here, they don't get any money. It's a volunteering job. all those hours of standing around, for $0 pay. I did it once and never went back.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
ReplyDeleteYeah, they used to ask for volunteers at school, around Christmas, to stand in front of The Devil's Playground and ask for donations for the United Way. I did NOT volunteer.