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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel harassed by charity chuggers targeting women in public?

264 replies

Bertiebiscuit · 02/04/2026 10:19

I'm so sick of male charity chuggers, i watch them always bear down on older lone women - the "Dorothy Donor" stereotype is still operating i guess- i am on a fixed income, cannot afford to give money to charities, although I'm a regular buyer in charity shops and always donate goods when i have a clear out. As if i would give out my card details in public anyway, they must think we're stupid! And all that fake "charming" act they put on - hello 'young' lady, i like your hat/coat/haircut blah blah 🤮. Long story short i ignore them and march past,but lately several have felt they can shout snarky comments as i walk away, basically is amounting to street harassment,bog standard male bullsh*t and entitlement. I confess that the most recent one i gave him the finger. I feel as though I'm just prey, as women and girls always seem to be, and it makes me furious.

OP posts:
StationJack · 02/04/2026 10:41

Isekaied · 02/04/2026 10:37

I was trying to figure this one out- thought it was pig Latin or something

It's a nonsense form of 'I don't speak English'. Some will ask 'Spanish? French?..' but by that time I'm gone.

Poppingby · 02/04/2026 10:41

Sometimes they do target women and harass them with cheesy chat up lines to do it as well (eg whatever that one about stars falling from heaven is). I had to be extremely firm to shut them up. I was going to complain to the charity because a middle aged woman going to work does not need that shit but I forgot, but the next day they had someone with a clipboard telling them what to do so I'm guessing someone else did. OP ifc you really feel like it's harassment, phone the charity they're collecting for. Doesn't do their reputation any good does it.

Itsallsostressful · 02/04/2026 10:39

I think for me it's the change from someone with a bucket looking for a couple of quid to the having to sign up for monthly donations. My local supermarket always has some charity or other. I feel they do try and make you feel guilty even when it's a charity you already give to !

Isekaied · 02/04/2026 10:37

StationJack · 02/04/2026 10:25

I say to them 'Nospik Ingliss, nospik Ingliss' and walk off.

I was trying to figure this one out- thought it was pig Latin or something

ilovesooty · 02/04/2026 10:36

And @Bertiebiscuit there's no reason why you have to be rude and aggressive. A quick " no thank you" is perfectly effective.

ilovesooty · 02/04/2026 10:34

Thehandinthecookiejar · 02/04/2026 10:21

They are annoying but I don’t think they particularly single out women as “prey”. They pounce on anyone they make eye contact with because that’s their job.

Exactly. They'll go for anyone whose eye they catch. Women are just more inclined to catch people's eyes as they move. The OP seems keen to make this a male / female thing when it isn't.

These chuggers work on commission and while no one likes their approach it's a thankless job.

PollyBell · 02/04/2026 10:30

My husband gets them as much as me, dont see why women are considered special in this, they annoy both of us when they wont accept a polite no

Are women not able to stand up for themselves?

And dont try the 'dont you care about children' again or you (chuggers) wont like the answer

CherryBlossom321 · 02/04/2026 10:28

It’s the same around here, they approach women far more than they do men. YANBU, it ought to be illegal.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/04/2026 10:28

The ones at Charing Cross station are on a hiding to nothing. People are there because they are about to catch a train. Of course I don't have a spare few minutes!

They all are really though. How many people actually sign up from chuggers?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 02/04/2026 10:27

This reply has been deleted

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TrashHeap · 02/04/2026 10:27

The ones that hang about outside supermarkets are the worst. Always by the entrance.

I just want to be able to do my shopping without being harassed whenever someone wants to sign me up to something.

StationJack · 02/04/2026 10:25

I say to them 'Nospik Ingliss, nospik Ingliss' and walk off.

LusciousLondoner · 02/04/2026 10:21

"You look kind"

"Well I'm not. Go away"

Thehandinthecookiejar · 02/04/2026 10:21

They are annoying but I don’t think they particularly single out women as “prey”. They pounce on anyone they make eye contact with because that’s their job.