VENT: Chuggers/Charity collectors in the street/On street salesmen

heretolearn_2

I don't get bothered on the street either, I must give off the same 'no' vibes :-) They start to step towards me, or look at me, I immediately shake my head and march off, no probs. The most that ever happens is that I have to say 'no thank you' and just keep walking. Don't even break stride. I'm not rude to them, but I'm not stopping. Why do you get involved in a conversation, questions, explanations etc if you aren't interested. Just keep walking, don't make eye contact, don't look 'whipped' and like someone they can bully, no aggro.

Well, usually.

I must admit I've been caught once. A woman suddenly leaped into action across the street from me, looking right at me and grinning and shouting 'hi! hi!' and waving, looking really excited to see me. I stopped, thinking '!!!! who is this I've forgotten and trying to drag up her name from some distant memory' but when she reached me she pulled a clipboard out of her bag and was a blooming chugger! Cheeky mare. I just shook my head and said 'I can't believe you did that' and walked off.

And there was the chugger who marked into our offices, was refused entry, pushed past reception and started on at me at my desk! I asked her to leave 3 times and she just ignored me. I was just flabberghasted. In the end I stood up and walked towards her without stopping while 'gesturing' towards the exit in an 'if you don't move then me and my arm are going to physically push you out the door' way. She acted shocked and surprised that 'you are telling me to leave?'. yes. now. bye bye. Stomped down stairs. I did make a complaint to the charity and to be fair the Chief Exec got back to me the very next day, then the head of fundraising, and they were going to discipline the person. Charity very apologetic.

bunhead99

just plug your headphones in they then you wont get stoped lol

spike7451

I was working at one of our street Mux's when I worked for VM,Sitting right up against it was a Indian/Iraqi/Afghani whatever woman selling the big issue.Asked her to move so I could get to the circuitry,she would'nt,so I ended up getting the Police to mover her on!

RHemmings

frannyann wrote: »

A chugger actually shouted at me, after I had said a polite, 'not interested', 'So you don't care about the starving children then do you?' To which I replied 'Nope' Because,of course,that being shouted at me, was going to make me turn around and sign up (wishes we still had the rolling eyes smilie here)

The answer to "so you don't care about starving children do you?" is "If you cared about starving children, you'd give them all the money you take from people, not just part of it".

marleyboy

SallyForth wrote: »

I just say 'No thank-you" and walk passed, briskly, no eye contact, no further engagement. I don't see any need to justify to them how much time you may or may not have, or whether you do or do not support charity or anything. It none of their business.

Ditto, I do pay DD for a certain charity, thats enough for me, whenever I am approached by them, whether its a survey,charity,mobile phone, sky or questionnaire, before they get to finish "Hi", I say "No Thanks!", no eye contact, no stopping in my tracks and no further conversation.


At least we take the trouble to politely use the words "Thank You", as cometh the tenth time, you really want to say something far more acidic, but still, out of politeness, dont.

kh904

Chuggers annoy the hell out of me!
I'm sure that some of the them genuinely want to help the needy, but i just feel most of them do it just because they get paid to do it - they don't do it for free do they?

They are aways out where i work in Greenwich town centre, strategically positioned (usully 5 of them), so you can't avoid them. I'm usually polite, saying no thank you, not interested etc smile & show them respect etc, as I don't want to be the first one to be rude. However once you pass one you'll meet the rest who also try to stop you. I'm sure Messi has an easier job getting pass defenders in the world cup!

I sometimes do put on a face that i'll get in fight if someone !!!!es me off if i'm not in the mood (but they don't know that i'm harmless lol), or walk pass without breaking stride, avoid eye-contact etc.

Yesterday I did get my first rude response from a chugger, as I was on my way to get lunch. The guy approached me started his line, then i interupted stating 'Sorry, not interested' while carrying on walking, then I heard him say 'That's rude' in an disrespectful manner.
Luckily for him, i'm not the aggressive type and rarely react to provocation & went on to get my lunch.
If that happens again however, I will put him in his place (not fight him), just give him a verbal dressing down (non-aggressve, just make him look stupid).

I've noticed it's the guys are usually the worst, especially the ones who think they are good looking and aren't used to being rejected!

I've actually considered writing to my local council &/or local paper to complain about them. I don't thnk they should be banned, but severely restrict them as they can't be good for local business & people who want to relax while walking around!
If everyone started doing it, maybe something will get done!