Chuggers (Aka Charity Muggers)

[Bbbananas]

Our high street is plagued with them.

I was approached 3 times yesterday by 3 different ones. They position themselves so you can hardly avoid them. Their training and tactics are so obvious; the false smiles, the 'chat-up lines', the extravagant gestures. One complimented me on my sunglasses, another on my choice of carrier bag fgs...

I feel sorry for the elderly who can't refuse them or ignore them. I snapped at the last one (the carrier bag comment was too much) who did back off when he knew he wasn't going to get anywhere.

I give £8.99 a month d.debit to the NSPCC and that is all I can afford. If I want to give to any other charity I will put myself forward to do so - I do not want to be accosted on my way to Marks & Spencer by a grinning unsincere 20 year old who has a degree in false flattery.

Am I mean? Uncaring? Selfish?

[B00]

"Am I mean? Uncaring? Selfish? "

Nope.

I point blank ignore 'em, they highly irritating. If I want to give to a charity I will do, I will not be made to feel intimidated to do so.

[ummmm]

Nope...I hate them and it puts me off going into town.

[China Doll]

No, not at all. They're paid for doing that so it's not like they're doing great works for charity themselves.

They don't bother me but then they don't really approach me either... can't think why as I'm so approachable and friendly looking.

[Bbbananas]

I get approached all the time - even though I scowl at them when I see them coming. They probably think I'm going to be a soft touch.

And apparently the money they themselves earn is not inconsiderable.

[Booldawg]

I recently saw an online company that sell tabards with f*** off written across them in big letters!

[Bbbananas]

I'd get one, but would be too frightened of bumping into my mother....!

[B00]

"I recently saw an online company that sell tabards with f*** off written across them in big letters! "

Hope I never see anyone wearing one of those either, if I did, they'd get a piece of my mind too, especially if I was with my child!

[Octavius]

They tend to ignore me as well, perhaps I have the look of someone who does not give a toss about charity? Or maybe someone in need of it....

Anyhow, it does amaze me that people are quite wiling to have this insincere chat and then let this stranger on the street take all their card and bank details on a clipboard.

[SlackAlice]

I rarely get approached, which is a bit fortunate because I'm a bit of a soft touch.

However, a friend told me that when I'm not smiling I have a "chop 'em all into bits, if they get in my way" look on my face. Might be that.

[Bbbananas]

But I give them 'that look' - that says "don't you dare come anywhere near me". They still do,

I think they see a respectable looking (ha!!) 50 year old well dressed woman, not looking poor or pathetic and think she'll be a pushover. I am truly sick of them.
I sit in my cafe Nero window seat and watch them in action. Appalling.

[knittynora]

A friend was accosted on her own doorstep by a young man asking her to donate to the Red Cross. When she told him that she did already donate to them by monthly direct debit she was then asked if she would like to increase the amount. She also got a phone call a few days later asking her the same thing. They'd have spent quite a large proportion of her monthly donation paying their wages and for the phone call.

[mrs_overall]

I know a smattering of some obscure languages so I often look blankly at them and say something random.
(try "anda bau" which is Malaysian for "you smell")

[SlackAlice]

^^^
snigger!

[Dee Sa]

I can get get rid of them and I am elderly, they come in my face I ask them "are you getting paid to do this ? " generally it throws them they are expecting an excuse why I wont sign up, then I say "well most of any donation I make goes to paying you not for the charity so count me out" they just walk away, try it. Its a true statement and so far works every time. My voluntary donations go to Shar pei welfare & rescue and RNIB, I will not be bullied into street donations by chuggers.

[Bbbananas]

Dee sa and mrs o - I will try those responses !!

[mrs_overall]

Obviously if the chugger looks Malaysian, then trying my response may earn you a punch on the nose.......

[sara3]

I was "accosted" coming out of Superdrug last week. they were standing in their doorway.. does that mean Superdrug allow this?

anyway, flattery, charm, clipboard and pin badges. I can't even remember what the charity was (not a well known one). I said, "how much are the badges?" he said "they start at £10"!!! I laughed. he said "I said I could make you smile!" and I said, "I'm laughing at you, not smiling!"

[Sparkles62]

Mean,uncaring or selfish, no definately not.
When they approach me, before they can open their mouth and go into their spiel, i say 'sorry, i dont give money to street collectors, I donate through the bank, thankyou' and leave.

[sebhfhion]

Sparkles, these people do not take your money from you on the street, most of them are wanting you to sign up for direct debt payments through your bank so saying that will just encourage them.

[237SJ]

You don`t live in Kingston, do you? :-) I only walked down the street there for 5 minutes yesterday and I dodged three of them. What annoys me is they way they approach with a personal comment such as asking me how I am. I don`t like being drawn into conversation - it`s a crafty way to get you to engage with them.