wibu to tell the chugger to f#$# off?

[fallingsun]

I was walking down the high street, hurrying as it was cold and I wanted to get home. A chugger bounced in and started cooing at 11mo dd, saying 'oh soooo cute' etc etc. I ignored her, partly as she hadn't addressed me and partly because running the gauntlet of chuggers really annoys me. Anyway, I blatantly wasn't interested, but the chugger kept going, trying to get in dds face and my way. When the chugger was still there despite me practically running to escape ten paces layer, I turned to her and quietly told her to f#ck off.

I'm don't normally swear, especially not at someone, but she really irritated me, I especially didn't like the fake cooing of dd as an excuse to get my attention. Wibu?

[VoiceofUnreason]

Our local council has brought in restrictions - no more than 3 individuals in the high street I think it is.

What I can't understand is that it was (and I assume therefore still is) illegal to be a street collector and shake your tin and/or approach people. You were only allowed to stand there and accept donations, you weren't allowed to make any approaches or 'disturb' people through rattling your tin.

Chugging should be made illegal. Far more disturbing than someone shaking a tin.

[HoratiaWinwood]

I say "I'm sorry, I don't sign up with chuggers" and walk faster.

Some indignantly say "I'm not a chugger" - "oh, I'm sorry, I thought you wanted me to sign up to donate to your charity" - "Erm..."

I agree that YWBU to swear at someone without first being polite. Walking along without responding isn't necessarily a "no", it might be a "hadn't noticed".

[lovebunny]

she had no right to accost your baby and deserved everything she got.
chuggers are sometimes young people who haven't got another job - students or whatever. they're recruited by team leaders, often people they know from uni. they don't have much life experience so talking to a baby might seem like a valid way to get a mother's attention, or stopping an elderly person and pressurising them for their bank details might seem reasonable to them...
but the door-to-door one who walked right into my daughter's house, through the porch/vestibule into the hall, and wanted to argue with me about whether he was leaving or not - well, he didn't work for the charity named on his tabard and he managed to con the police... but he was potentially dangerous. what if she'd been home alone?

[LineRunner]

You could have shouted Get away from her, you bitch!

That would be my ideal fancy dress outfit / act.

[blueemerald]

Oldbag- I live in Lewisham, South London. I'll get some details for you. I'd also recommend TA work, as a male he will have an advantage there, especially at primary level or in special education, as long as he can stand kids! You don't need infinite vacancies- you need one, for your son.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

One of good things about not working at the moment is not running the gauntlet of the awful chuggers every day. I used to hate it but I couldn't get from work to the station without going past them. I usually stick to "no" or "not interested" but think your woman sounded particularly pushy. Maybe "get out of my way" would be better than swearing but I can't really say I blame you.

[EuroShagmore]

I hate these. They used to congregate outside my former office and I couldn't get a bloody sandwich without running the gauntlet of them! I have a particular hatred of them because the first one I ever encountered said I had lovely hair and asked where I got it cut (which gave me a lovely little lift on a bad day) and then ruined it all by starting his pitch.

I do the look right through them no eye contact thing that another poster mentioned. There is really nothing they can do with that.

[GetAllTheThings]

Best response I've heard to chuggers was

' Oh yeah I already give to that charity '

nothing they can say to that.

[Ginandtonicandamassageplease]

I've never heard the term chugger today but I love it! One really pissed me off today. My excuse was that I didn't have any change (which was true) and so he whipped out a portable machine and said "it's ok I take cards"!!!

[complexnumber]

They can be very intimidating, though I do not really resent them.

There have been several ways of repelling them mentioned already, but the one that I use as it has no comeback is "I'm sorry, I don't pay UK taxes".

They are gone quicker than the smile drops from their lips

[GrendelsMum]

Well, in honour of OldBag's son, I'm going to start up the 'love a chugger' movement. The next chuggers who stop me I shall be polite and friendly to.

Now of course they'll all have disappeared next time I go into town.