canvassers in Davis Square again

[perich.livejournal.com]

Springtime brings out the unemployed students canvassing for donations throughout Boston. This weekend, they've hit Davis Square heavy. I could stand outside the Somerville Theatre and count at least six just by turning my head.

They appear to be soliciting donations for a group called Children International. They also seem (in my opinion) a bit more aggressive in getting pedestrians' attention this year.

Offered without judgment* or comment**.







* Though I imagine my judgment of them is pretty well implied

** Though you can make all the comments you like.

Comments

[ron_newman]

Looking at the artwork in the windows of the CVS building is a good way to avoid them.

[perich.livejournal.com]

But what if they catch you outside the Chipotle? Where's your messiah now?

[beatniktea.livejournal.com]

outside chipotle is the worst!

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I thought you asked them if they'd gotten paid yet. I've been using that tactic for the obnoxious ones and it seems to be very effective.

[perich.livejournal.com]

A variation of that:

"I know a lot of people who worked for [insert name of charity] last summer who never got their commission checks."

The stunned responses I get to that make it worthwhile.

subscription

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind so much if they were just asking for one-time donations, but the Greenpeace people at least are actually asking for a reoccuring-until-cancelled $20-or-more/month contribution. And I've seen some of the people not being very upfront about that at all, which is sleazy.

Re: subscription

[versonic.livejournal.com]

Not that it's a huge difference, but the Greenpeace donation is actually $15/month

Re: subscription

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i feel bad for the greenpeace kids. god, they're annoying.

Re: subscription

[versonic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but they tend to be nicer than the Children's ones.

What a terrible job...

[gigantor-nc.livejournal.com]

I need to get a T-shirt that says "No Solicitors". At least then I could just point to it.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

I've thought of getting a button like that.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

I usually just give them a crazy stare and say "yes, I have lots of money to give you. And candy too. You just have to get them for me out of the back of my van."

That gets rid of them.

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

Ok, first and foremost I feel badly for them because they have a hard job and get paid little money to be treated pretty poorly by folks on the street. In theory they are trying to do a good thing for a good cause.

And second, I recommend either having a fake argument with whoever you are walking with or to start talking really loudly in a made up language. Both work.

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I always just nicely say "sorry" and keep walking.

[mcary219.livejournal.com]

Thats what i did, looked down and said sorry. whoops oh well. its the girl in the blue shirt right?

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Bingo. It's polite enough and it doesn't waste anyone's time.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Oh, you and your logic, reason, and etiquette!

I generally say "No, thank you."

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

How do you know they're there to try to do a good thing for a good cause? How do you know they're not criminals, using the name of recognizable charities to rob you of your money?

[infinitemorning.livejournal.com]

I've been snared by the companies that send those kids out before (usually contractors hired by charities to gather donations), and I know how much it sucks to work that job, so I'd urge people to be polite to the street solicitors themselves. Still, I don't give to charities through that method -- or any method other than direct donation, when I am able to give -- in part because I'd really prefer to discourage street solicitations in general.

A polite 'no' is sufficient, really.

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I always feel sorry for them because they're so friendly and it's such a frustrating job, but I live here and know the pitch now, so I generally cut them off at the pass by saying "Sorry, I'm not interested in signing up for monthly pledges, but good luck."

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Agreed, except that sometimes a polite "no thanks" is not actually sufficient. I was stopped at the edge of the curb while getting on my bike and clearly on my way somewhere. The guy stepped in front of me, and to make it even more fun, was representing an organization that, while I support their stated purpose, don't actually think they work in that direction in any real way, though they do like spending money.

So when he ignored my initial no, I decided to tell him why I wasn't ever going to give them any money, and he basically ignored what I actually said in favor of basically accusing me of being the relevant sort of bigot and making clear that he didn't understand a word I was saying, nor did he know much about what the group he was working for actually did. I reiterated my stance in different words and moved on. I'm sure it accomplished nothing, but I didn't mind the opportunity, anyway.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

agreed. most of the time 'no, not today' or something similar is good enough.

but when i worked at the pru, they'd frequently be across the street [greenpeace] and they wouldn't let it drop. i finally turned to one one day and said 'look, i'm a customer service rep at a job i hate and i have to listen to people that have nothing better to do than scream at me every damn day. i have a half hour where i don't have to talk to anyone, and you're ruining it, leave me alone and let me get my lunch.'

[ron_newman]

Just curious - what organization?

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Meh. It's their job. I'm glad it's not my job. So far they've all understood "no" and none have been pushy or rude. If you live in a forward-thinking kind of place, it's just something you get used to. I'm just astonished that it works!

[ohyeah36.livejournal.com]

As a former street canvasser in NYC, I am more than willing to be canvassed and to donate to the cause, as long as it's a good one. I take pity on canvassers because it's a tough job and most people do it because they really believe in the cause they're working for.
Not sure if it's the same in Boston as it was in NYC, but the Children's International people are from Dialogue Direct and they are the PUSHIEST, WORST canvassers ever. I was practically assaulted by one of them. Plus, the fact that they only take monthly contributions is annoying.
I'm moving to the Boston area in a few months, and I thought I'd be escaping street canvassers, but no such luck, apparently.

[ron_newman]

The last time we had this discussion, about 16 months ago.

Avoiding Canvassers

[shadow1869.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to see that everyone on this community already gives enough to charity, and doesn't need any reminding to do the right thing. Why, if everyone in the world were like you and already gave 10-15% of their annual income unsolicited to worthy causes, I am sure that canvassers, telephone solicitors, and direct mail campaigns to raise money, would all dry up and quit! Thanks for doing your part to end canvassing by donating without being asked!

If you couldn't tell, that was sarcasm. Most people need some reminder to give, or else they just don't think about it at all. That isn't to say that this is a bad quality, it is just the way we are as a society. Instead of being angry with the people who remind you that you maybe should be giving more, try to be happy that they did it.

Saying "no thank you" and continuing to walk will actually work pretty well. No need to be a jerk to someone working hard for a good cause, is there?

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Most people need some reminder to give, or else they just don't think about it at all.

There's no functional difference between a canvasser and a car salesman. I'm polite to them, but being for a good cause doesn't make it any less obnoxious. And if I have to be "reminded" to contribute to a charity, then odds are pretty good I wasn't going to contribute anyway.

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[perich.livejournal.com]

Talk to one of them today, then get back to me.

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

They aren't all good causes.

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't know you knew every single person on this community AND all their giving records!

That was sarcasm, too.

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[ron_newman]

My general preference is to give to local organizations, which generally solicit me by direct snail mail or through friends who are involved in charity walks or other activities of those organizations. (Example: Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville Mathematics Fund, Community Action Agency of Somerville, Somerville Community Corporation, etc.)

Re: Avoiding Canvassers

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Why, if everyone in the world were like you and already gave 10-15% of their annual income unsolicited to worthy causes, I am sure that canvassers, telephone solicitors, and direct mail campaigns to raise money, would all dry up and quit!

You are sure? Back up your assertion with actual evidence.

There will always be need out there, and a multiplicity of methods of outreach. I personally find in-street canvassing to be not particularly effective, but they're just doing their job, so I say no thanks and walk on.

[perich.livejournal.com]

Intriguing. If I get any noteworthy responses, I could post them to an Internet site of some repute!

[versonic.livejournal.com]

I did this once.

"I hate children."

It worked.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

i've said that too, which was especially amusing because i was walking with my son in his stroller at the time.

[versonic.livejournal.com]

ahaha best mother ever - Happy Mother's Day?

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

I generally set canvassers afire and mow down their burning corpses with a car, which is a natural and proportionate response to people who inconvenience me slightly in the course of my daily life.

Oops! What I meant was, I just say, "No thank you," and keep walking.

[genesayssitdown.livejournal.com]

i'm not going to give money to a charity that treats it's employees like shit.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

That would be most charities. I don't understand why people work in the non-profit sector, seriously.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

A med student friend of mine that was doing humanitarian work in Ecuador had nothing positive to say about their form of "humanitarian assistance." Apparently they take starving children away from their families more or less against their (and their parents') will and send them to an orphanage where they feed them and educate them. Apparently it is pretty disruptive to the family structure.

Not saying this is the gospel truth but I would definitely read up before donating to these people.

[blyssfulchaos.livejournal.com]

i usually say, "i will not donate until you achieve a four-star rating on charity navigator." not only is this a true statement on my part, but it also causes enough confusion on the part of the canvasser that i can make my escape.

[ron_newman]

Link doesn't work (I think you left off "http://")

[perich.livejournal.com]

Fixed!

[teko.livejournal.com]

This is why me and other people I know are in the habit of entirely avoiding the Square during mid-day hours.