How to deal with aggressive people on the street???

Petra_70

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

Last time my partner was asked "do you care about deaf people?" he said "no" and the guy raised his hands in the air and said "OK, fair enough!" and walked away.

I've overheard others end up in arguments over this style of loaded question though.

It's awful isn't it? What a dreadful question to ask. As I said, I have had the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust saying 'do you care about animals?' Whose idea was this and why on earth do they say it? :mad:

System

Beggars If being aggressive, I tell them sorry I have no change and just walk away (though the non aggressive ones I will offer to buy them a drink or food)

Chuggers I tend to just say "no thanks" and walk on by

Though we now have people from Vanquis I think who are aggresive in trying to flog their credit cards. Last time that happened I gave the guy a detailed history of my bipolar and the impact that has on my financial situation and that a credit card would be a very bad idea for someone prone to manic spending sprees...funnily enough he left me alone after that..

Person_one

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

I have noticed though that now charity people will approach you with increasingly loaded questions like "do you care about children with cancer?" presumably thinking nobody can say no to that

I did once see a young man loudly announce "I don't care about nature or the rainforest!" when he realised he was about to hit a small swarm of charity collectors (I think it was Friends of the Earth or similar) and they all just chuckled and left him alone. Never done the same myself, but I do just say "I've already got a direct debit", which is technically true although not always to the particular charity they're working for. Its quicker than "I have a limited budget for charitable donations and I've made a considered and researched decision and that budget is already fully allocated to other charities."

As for aggression/street harassment, turns out the best way to reduce it as a woman is to get a bit older and a bit fatter! In my thirties and a size 14 is a lot more peaceful than in my twenties and a size 10, definitely recommend it.

bagpussbear

For chuggers, and people trying to sell something, I generally just shake my head, say no sorry, and keep looking ahead. Ignore anything said by them afterwards.

I once was standing on a train platform, and a woman wanted to talk at me about Jesus, and wouldn't take any hint that I was not interested. She asked me what religion I was and I told her I was a satanist. Her face was a picture :-) she soon left. I guess saying something she really didn't expect threw her.

VfM4meplse

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

I have noticed though that now charity people will approach you with increasingly loaded questions like "do you care about children with cancer?" presumably thinking nobody can say no to that, whereas before they would just ask for a minute of your time or something like that.

Chuggers irritate the hell out of me, although I am always polite. They are idealistic but deluded young people in the main, and don't realise what they do has a very limited impact.

I always make a note of the charity and contribute online if it's a cause I believe in (there are many).

BigAunty

I never break my pace of walking and avoid eye contact.

Chuggers get no response to any questions or statements and if they step in front of me, they need to step back out the way because its clear that I am not going to swerve. They basically no longer register with me.

Their efforts are towards getting the person to stop and interact. To get me to do that, they'd have to rugby tackle me to the floor and force me to speak. If you resist them, by not responding, by not changing pace, there's nothing they can do.

Beggars get a quick 'sorry' if I respond at all.

Free newspaper vendors try to thrust it in my hand but I have learned not to take it automatically.

I have not noticed any aggressive begging in Glasgow, its usually quite passive with people sitting around with a paper cup in silence or asking for 'spare change'.

That said, I was in town yesterday and there was a beggar on virtually every street, the highest number I have ever seen and it was evenly split between Roma and native beggars, with one scottish beggar holding up a sign saying he was born here. There have always been multiple beggars in town but this was crazy.

VestanPance

I just ignore them. I'm male, tall and athletic though, so most people tend to be wary of doing anything to provoke me.

scooby088

I like debating with chuggers, one once said he had raised millions and deserved what he got paid, and then he said why should he do it for free.

DigForVictory

I've used the "I already donate by DD" line - it's a delightfully effective charm.

I don't have height so I fall back on talking to them, & some days, in a nice busy location, I can natter happily til *they're* struggling to get away.

I must remember to offer rescue to any elderly I see getting the treatment. It's a bit of a minefield as I can tell most charity collectors to hike but it's a lot harder to untangle from someone who (with my luck) knows my mother...

warehouse

Well working in London for 10+ years definitely hardened me to these people somewhat. A simple but firm "no" works every time to chuggers or beggars, no matter what question they put to you. Don't smile at them or interact in any way other than "no", just say it and don't break stride. The next mug is right behind you.

By the time I got out of central London there were many more things that wound me up much more than chuggers!