to not want to run the gauntlet every bloody morning

[mayfridaycomequickly]

I commute to my local city for work - getting off the train just before 8am. This morning I had to wade past
-4 excitable people manning a PDSA stall complete with fake dog trying to beckon me to sign up

• 3 people begging
• 4 people trying to push their religious brochures (spaced out within a 1 minute walk - both sides of the pavement)
• 2 people trying to give away free magazines. They're there every day with the same magazines and they're getting increasingly pushy - they come right up to you, wave it and yell 'but it's free' if you say 'no thanks'

I'm willing to accept that iabu but it's really irritating first thing on a morning. 2 days a week I take my son on the commute... cue pdsa people trying to beckon him over (he's 3). This morning the religious people with the brochures were stood practically on the nursery doorstep.

Big sunglasses. Head down. No smile.

Channel Victoria Beckham leaving an airport.

CHarity mUGGERS

You're being mugged for charity.

I now say 'Oh I'm with you already' to any AA/RAC/Chugger as I breezily walk by - You can't sign up someone who's already in. I'm not but I did once cancel my RSPB membership because a chugger got in my face and I was sure to tell them why.

James
Chuggers = Charity Muggers

Oh I see now, thanks.

I have something of a fuck-off-face, so I'm usually fairly ok. I'm also pretty hard hearted...

DB otoh ended up with approx 15 direct debits within a month if turning 18. He couldn't bring himself to say no! At least 5 were for the same charity. But this is the boy who came back from his first unaccompanied trip to the Big City with 4 Big Issues and didn't have the money left to buy what he went for. Bless.

I particularly hate the ones who ask DD (3) whether she likes cats as we walk past their stand. Snapping "she doesn't have a bank account and we don't talk to strangers" doesn't stop them trying again the next time!

They drive me nuts.

The one time I had some time to kill and stopped to chat to one, I asked if I could have a leaflet to take home and think about it, and they flatly refused. It was sign up for a direct debit on the spot or nothing. They got a pretty short answer to that.

The Chuggers must be Mumsnetters - NO chuggers at all today - very weird!

imonkey the religious people don't speak - they just hold the leaflets out at you in silence, which is almost more unnerving than the puppy like chuggers who get in your face.

Honestly - does anyone ever decide to take up religion / donate to charity on the street? Seems like a massive waste of effort!