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AIBU?

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Original poster

To refuse to do the ice bucket challenge

110 replies

rookiemater · 20/08/2014 08:48

The ice bucket challenge is sweeping our way from the US - I know because one of my friends has been nominated on FB and a bit like the no make up selfie they then choose someone else to nominate once done.

If you don't do it you're meant to donate $100 or whatever UK equivalent is to charity - not sure which charity it is but I'm sure it's a very worthwhile one.

I must be turning into an old curmudgeon as I can't think of anything worse to do. I don't want to be soaked and I don't want to give a huge chunk of money to a charity that I haven't chosen. I already do quite a lot for charity, but I hate being voluntold to do anything and I hate the way that being asked to do things or donate money seems to be all pervasive now.

WIBU to post on FB that if anyone asks me to do the Ice Bucket challenge I will refuse and that as I already donate to charity, I will not be doing the donation either? That way it saves people the bother of nominating me Grin?

OP posts:
Original poster
rookiemater · 20/08/2014 09:34

I know Inertia, I don't know why that didn't occur to me before, but I thought that once you were named, it had to be.

OP posts:
Vivacia · 20/08/2014 09:48
Confused
LadyLuck10 · 20/08/2014 09:58

Blush You seriously think that if someone nominates you, you HAVE to do it?
You are an adult ?

EveDallasRetd · 20/08/2014 10:00

All the ones I have seen on my FB have been to donate £3 to Macmillan if they do it, £10 if they don't. There have been a couple of exceptions - one friend who did it said he was giving £10 to CombatStress, another was going to donate to a friends JustGiving page for a private charity fundraising.

It's almost all men that I have seen, barring the very first one on my FB feed who was quite clear about donations/the text number/amount and why she was doing it. The men seem to be doing it more to embarass their mates and the donations are secondary (indeed lots missing completely, or added as a comment afterwards)

I don't have any photos of me on FB, let alone videos, but if nominated I would probably do it, making clear who I was donating to.

LividofLondon · 20/08/2014 10:07

Just ignore it if you're volunteered. You don't have to do anything you don't want to and shouldn't feel awkward either. If people get on your case about it just log off of FB until they STFU. Problem solved.

Roonerspism · 20/08/2014 10:10

I'm watching a (young) friend dying of motor neurone disease as we speak.

It's a frigging ghastly disease. It's not a sexy charity but, flipping heck, it should be. It desperately needs funds for research - one day there will be a cure. I will do anything to help that cause.

I would pore ice on my head AND donate if nominated.

FryOneFatManic · 20/08/2014 10:10

My brother has nominated me. I'm ignoring the nomination. I already donate quite a bit in terms of money, time and stuff for the charity shops.

I'll make my own decisions about which charities to support, and refuse to be bounced into doing something like this. He should know me by now that I won't do it.

And not least because I absolutely hate the feel of wet clothing on my skin, it really makes my skin crawl. The only exception has been swimming costumes, but I'm quick enough to strip them off when done.

Vivacia · 20/08/2014 10:13

I would pore ice on my head AND donate if nominated.

If only there was another way to pour ice on your head and donate money, other than waiting to be nominated, damn it.

WhereHas1999DissappearedToo · 20/08/2014 10:14

Don't do it and you don't have to donate nobody on FB can force you too. My DD was nominated in July and she didn't do it- we live in NZ and the temperature most days wasn't going past 10 degrees. Some was her stupid friends did it and they all got colds, some even did it in the snow and icy lakes/rivers!

Original poster
rookiemater · 20/08/2014 10:42

I'm not saying it's not a worthwhile cause - in fact having read Roonerspisms post I may well donate to it.

I guess I am being a bit of an old curmudgeon in that it does raise awareness and funds for the charity.

I just feel a bit charitied out at the minute.I'm supporting a friend who is doing a big event for charity and there are quite a lot of FB feeds about it - it just feels a bit overwhelming. Plus in addition to all the requests I get at work for sponsorship for them/their DC, I've got an email through requesting sponsorship for a friend of a friend.

I suppose it's a natural consequence of hard times that charities are getting less money so need to find new, inventive ways of engaging with their potential donors using all the media they can, and I shouldn't begrudge them that.

OP posts:
Eauneau · 20/08/2014 10:51

Ok, I love Facebook - I am on it a lot and am certainly not part of the 'Facebook is for the uneducated plebs' brigade.

However, not for a second would I ever feel pressure to do something, be that neck nominations, no make up selfies or ice bucket challenges, just because someone has nominated me to do it.

The reason for this is that I am not a 14 year old desperately trying to fit in with the cool kids, but a grown woman who is perfectly able to ignore pointless bandwagon nominations.

YANBU to not want to do it, YABU to feel any pressure to do this because someone told you to on Facebook! Just ignore it - no one will think any less of you and if anyone over the age of 15 does, then de friend!

Eauneau · 20/08/2014 10:53

I have to say, there is also an element of 'look at meeeeeeee doing this for charideeeeeee!' of all these nomination things.

littlewhitebag · 20/08/2014 11:12

I have just helped DD1 to do this challenge to her boyfriend. He paid the cause £5 (poor student) then she doused him with water from the hose and i filmed it. He nominated some other young people to do it.

I am all for raising awareness for good causes and little known illnesses and this particular challenge seems to appeal to young people which is great.

However, there is no-one making people take up the challenge. You either do it or you don't. As simple as that.

I for one have never been so glad i don't have Facebook!

Notso · 20/08/2014 11:15

Grin at Vivacia

Vivacia · 20/08/2014 11:18

I seem to be having a "damn it Janet" thing going on in my head today.

Full disclosure: I have never actually watched the Rocky Horror Show.

Vivacia · 20/08/2014 11:18

I've googled, it should be "dammit Janet".

Nancy66 · 20/08/2014 11:23

I hate this sort of thing.

Celebs pouring water over themselves to show how hot they look shirtless or in a wet T shirt does not raise awareness of a charity

FrankelandFilly · 20/08/2014 11:30

Some of the celebs are mentioning the charity when doing it, though unfortunately not all of them. Tom Hiddleston gave details of how to donate on , though he gave the website for the American charity rather than the UK one.

Subhuman · 20/08/2014 11:34

It is a classic case of slacktivism. People do something feeling it will help where in reality the act itself has minimal impact on the charity but makes the person feel good for thinking they've helped. Really they've generally just passed the act of donating on to someone else.

Nancy66 · 20/08/2014 11:36

have any of the celebs donated anything though? Bet they haven't....

EveDallasRetd · 20/08/2014 11:49

This is a good write up www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2014/08/19/think-the-ice-bucket-challenge-is-stupid-youre-wrong/

The last time I looked 16 MILLION dollars had been raised for ALS. That's pretty amazing.

Subhuman · 20/08/2014 11:49

Quite a few have, but a lot donate money to charities under the radar anyway. Bill Gates has done loads for charity, has his own foundation and regularly throws billions of dollars (at least 28 billion I believe) towards charity.

bruffin · 20/08/2014 11:54

It is a classic case of slacktivism. People do something feeling it will help where in reality the act itself has minimal impact on the charity but makes the person feel good for thinking they've helped. Really they've generally just passed the act of donating on to someone else.

This time last year ALS had raised $36000 for a month, since 31st of July they have raised $2.5 million

The campaign is doing its job as well as raising awareness. Only problem is that the different name in the UK and i suspect most people wont know it a Motor Nuerone Disease. My friends DH died of it and thankfully he went quite quickly, its a horrible disease.

EveDallasRetd · 20/08/2014 12:01

I quite like Simon Cowells one metro.co.uk/2014/08/19/simon-cowell-giggles-through-his-ice-bucket-challenge-nominates-fellow-x-factor-judges-louis-walsh-cheryl-cole-and-mel-b-4838959/
Wonder if Cheryl will take him up?
Grin

BomChickaMeowMeow · 20/08/2014 12:05

I agree - great awareness raising for the charity and condition, but no, you don't have to do the challenge or donate or acknowledge your friend's request in any way and it doesn't mean you are a bad person if you don't.

Just ignore it. If your friend asks you why you haven't done it, just send them a polite PM saying what you said in the OP.

People have asked me to sign petitions and to like pages which I haven't agreed with or thought were daft and I have never needed to explain. That's what's great about Facebook- much easier to click the ignore button than if someone contacts you directly.