To find this very uncomfortable?

[Oldisthenewblack]

I visit a local cafe regularly (almost every day!) and this has happened a few times now and it really annoys me, but I'm preparing to be flamed as a cold hearted, uncaring individual.

A man comes in and visits almost every table, placing a key ring and a note. The note says something to the effect of "I am deaf, I make these key rings, please buy one - £2.50".

Now, obviously I have no issue with this man attempting to sell his wares - good for him, in fact. But I come into this cafe to relax (spend ages on mumsnet...) and find this a bit off putting. He just speeds through, placing the items, and then a while later comes back and collects them. So, for a while they are just sitting there staring at me and I have no choice in the matter.

As I said, I am preparing for a flaming, but please don't think I'm hard hearted puts on hard hat. How would you feel - am I being unreasonable?

I shall attempt to be on the ball in future. A polite shake of the head and "no thank you". OfaFrenchmind - yes, I keep my eye on my stuff when I'm in there. I wonder what would happen if something happened to one of his key rings, maybe a child grabbed it and lost it or something? He's taking a chance with his stuff really. Anyway, it's been interesting to read all your responses

I used to travel around Europe a lot with work. These guys would walk up to you at your table outside cafes and restaurants. The signs were written in English mainly for the gullible
I don't believe they were deaf tbh.

I would buy one. And leave it ostentatiously on the table every time I went in. Holding it up with a big cheery smile if ever he approached me.

If he's genuine he'd hardly expect you to buy one every week. If he's not then fuck him who cares what he thinks?

I have a lot of youngish men knocking on my door with a holdall of dusters

I was sold at youngish men! If they want to clean, too, I'm not about to stop them.

I have to agree, MrsDevere. As a hard-of-hearing person, there are difficulties to employment for myself and those of D/deaf people.

However, I work full-time, despite receiving the DLA, and have had the privilege to have been taught by several Deaf people at University. People with hearing issues are not unemployable! Many of us are enterprising and creative, and have good educations enabling us to obtain employment especially with help via the Equality Act.