I’m sitting in a coffee shop in downtown San Mateo. There are two young women with clipboards standing just outside the door, accosting people as they walk down the sidewalk. They probably have some petition to sign. No, I take it back, they are giving out some kind of brochure or newsletter. One of the young women has stopped someone, and she is talking as fast as she can, making lots of eye contact, opening her notebook.
I can’t quite read their t-shirts, but I have this feeling they are asking for donations. I’m ready to leave, so now I must plot my exit strategy. I’ll wait until one or both of them is talking to someone, put my head down so my hat brim hides my eyes, and stride purposefully out the door. Now if I were with Carol, she would make a point of talking to them, because as a former newspaper reporter she is always curious about things like this. But I’m a soft touch, and I know it, and I don’t want to give any money to any more causes, so I will try to get out of here without making eye contact with these two young women.
Wish me luck. Here I go.
Oh my. You are a New Englander! Try the Midwest approach: “Oh, honey, what a great thing you all are doin’! I am so pleased to be seeing someone making a difference in the world! That is just fabulous, really it is. (Optional big hug here) I think if more young people were out in the world DOING things like you two are? Well then the world would be a better place. (Second hug here). Can I send you my recipe for Whirled Peas? It’s a real winner at the County Fair. You just give me your card and I’ll send you one of my hand made postcards. And I’ll put my secret ingredient special on there, just for you. You all have a good day now, ya’hear?” Another hug, and you are on your way. No money changes hands. And everyone feels great.
when money is requested, i say i also have a nonprofit to which all my spare funds go. i would rather be someone who could donate freely.
D.C. is teeming with these poor misfortunates; that is, those who have the job canvassing. Here, they tag-team facing each other at 20 paces, and thus covering both directions on a busy street.
I say — brightly — “no thank you!” and never break stride. Unless it’s for Human Rights Campaign, in which case, I say (brightly) “I’ll never give them a cent again!”
David Rankin, when he was minister at San Francisco, published a collection of his sermons. He said that the best thing about that was when the Jehovah’s Witnesses came to his door, now he had something to try to sell to them.
If these women really bothered you, just keep a couple of brochures in your pocket and solicit them for donations. You support a lot of good causes.
Thanks for the comments, all! For what it’s worth, both young women were fully involved with other people when I went out the door, so it wasn’t even an issue.
If I agree with the organization say, “I give on-line and support your efforts, but prefer to be left at peace when walking down the street” and keep walking.
What’d they turn out to be working for?
Amy @ 7 — I never did find out.