Ambushed in La Tasca!

pogofish

There was a spate of these guys here a few years back and yes, they were very good at it and must have been making a fair bit of cash.

However, it did them no favours when the most easily identifiable of their number was often seen out and about around the pubs and clubs, chatting-up women in the very same area he was pulling his scam.

brightonman123

seems outrageous- i go to a restaurant for a meal, not a flippin (lazy!) sales pitch!

are the staff getting a cut of any 'sales'..?

nzmegs

This happened to us last weekend in a Toby Carvery restaurant. A woman came up and siad she was collecting for Great ormond Street. We told her no and she moved on. But other epople gave her money. I can't believe the staff at the restaurant have no idea this is happening...she had no ID, no documentation or anything. yet people handed over their cash...crazy.

Nine_Lives

TBH i wouldn't have given a penny. I'd have made up some excuse that i have no change if i had some.

I don't believe in being pressured to give money to [something - charity, whatever]. If i want to give money then i will give money. I don't want someone at my feet asking for money.

I also don't believe in tipping waiters & the like. My partner tips every time. She doesn't get into that 10% nonsense, but she generally rounds the bill up or tips £1.00.

The way i see it is times are hard....
* i can't afford to throw money away
* why should a waiter get the tip? They're only doing their job. Does anyone tip me when i do my job? No.
* Some people deserve tips way more than waiters. Such as nurses. Do you tip them when you go in for treatment & relieve you of the pain that's been troubling you for ages? No. So why should a waiter get it just for being polite etc etc.

I know that's drifting off topic from the begging, but i wouldn't be forced into giving them money either.

And i certainly wouldn't feel bad about refusing. People could look & glare at me all they wish.

brightonman123

my local wetherspoon pub allow selected collection tins, but at the bar only. no roving!

Dave_C_2

On holiday I find that a shake of the head and a wave away is usually sufficient. Being 6 and a half feet tall, I find looming over them helps to make their mind up.

Dave

pink_princess

We have had this before in a pub in Blackpool.

Whilst eating is out of order I think.

Did you complain?

Charliezoo

I would have been marching straight up to the manager to complain and insist they ask the person to leave.

There's a time and a place for charity collecting and this was very inappropriate and intrusive.

zaksmum

I was in a Chinese restaurant last month and a whole crowd of East Europeans came in with musical instruments and started playing them loudly at various tables, while an old guy went round with a hat asking for money.

The Chinese owner shot out of the kitchen screaming abuse at them which they ignored, so he went back to the kitchen and came out with a massive chef brandishing a knife.

There was a scuffle and the East Europeans left with taking a good few ladies handbags with them that they'd nicked while everyone was watching the skirmish.

Not the most relaxing meal I've had...!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

Had lunch at my local La Tasca today and whilst sitting having a drink afterwards, we were approached by a mysterious gentleman.

He placed what initially looked like coasters/beer mats on the table in front of my partner and I and he was urging us to read them. On closer inspection, they were in fact laminated cards and although I can't remember the exact wording, it went something like this:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

My name is xxxxx and I am deaf and mute.

I have never heard music playing, the birds sing nor my family laugh.

I present you with these sign language guides and ask that you pay as much as you like for them.

(there was also something about raising funds etc)

He had by this time placed a couple of flimsy cards in front of us with some stuff about sign language and a picture of two cats and a ball of string on the front. And he just stood there.

Of course, I am happy to help but unfortunately we did not have a penny of change. I asked my OH to go to the bar for some change. In the meantime, the guy just stood there. We got some change, game him a couple of quid and off he went.

He then proceeded to go to every occupied table, whilst people were enjoying lunch and did the exact same thing.

Now, I help when I can, but this really was a bit much. He had permission from the staff and an official looking card on a lanyard, so I think it was above board but I would not have been happy if we were having lunch and this was thrust upon us. A few diners were quite angry and rightly so.

In all my years of eating out (and I eat out a lot) I have never witnessed this. Has this happened to anyone else?

I really don't think La Tasca should allow this. It would embarrass people not to give cash...as he just stood there expectantly

You'll find that they can all lipread.

I suggest you select from making mouth shapes consistent with;



Nnnn oh


Guh oooooo Aaaaaa Wwwwww aaaaaa iiiiii


or, if you are really teed off with this begging

Fffffuuuhhhhh Kkkkkkkkk oooohhhhh ffffffffff



I reckon most aren't deaf mute anyway - just don't speak English.