To just ignore Chuggers and similar

[wasonthelist]

A woman trying to flog some kind of lottery tried to accost me with the usual "Hello/excuse me". Politeness probably dictates a polite response - but I feel the normal rules of social discourse are being subverted here and I've taken to just totally blanking such folk.

I know they have a job to do, but I think it's wrong to take advantage of the circumstances in this way.

I just say "Sorry, no thanks". A boy petitioned me with a clipboard today about funds for his football team. It seemed very unofficial. I used this approach and disappeared into a shop. I am always wary of the potential for distraction theft anyway. Though I do usually give a pound to people asking for money to get to their shelter or whatever the story is. I don't judge whether they buy vodka with it- hope it brings them some comfort for a little while.

One said to a friend carrying a tesco bag, 'interesting how you can afford shopping for YOURSELF'

She was superskint at the time and quite unwell mentally, so pulling herself out of the flat to go look in the reduced section of the supermarket was a huge acheivement, totally undermined by this horrible man who represented a very well known charity.

I had an NSPCC one have a go at me near Oxford Street once. He had the gall to shout after me (after I'd given a polite, no thank you) "DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT CHILDREN BEING RAPED???" - to which I shouted back, "NO, IT'S CHARACTER-BUILDING".

Not my finest moment, but christ, what an arsehole!

You really should complain about chuggers if they are being abusive. Charities, and the Charity Commission, would take a dim view.

The ones that collect cash in tins are not allowed to shake them or shout out to people AFAIK either.

I dont bother even giving them a look now. Did respond once saying i dont give to bloggers (yes bloggers) the guy stop there saying im not a blogger and stood shock still. I was at the end of street before realising id said blogger instead of chugger. The same with those that knock at the door. I dont bother answering the door and see its a chugger just shut the door.

I manage to swerve 90% of them by just focusing determinedly on a fixed point in the distance, but I have been known to engage in a fake phone call on roads where I know there are bloody loads of them!

If they do try to approach me I usually go for a head-shake or a "sorry, in a hurry" and don't slow down.

The moment you make eye contact it's game over!

I was once shopping alone and had a middle aged man follow me up the street asking if I had a boyfriend.

I was 17 and looked it

I just ignore I donate to charities and I always put change in when people are fundraising with a tin in the supermarket etc.

I'm just not giving my bank details too some random in the street.

Since they usually work in groups I just tell them I've already spoken to someone. Failing that, having to catch a bus or on way to an appointment usually works well.

In my town centre, they are spaced within twenty feet of each other. and there are about ten out at once

I always think this is, or should be, terribly counter-productive. When I see a bunch of them out like this, I usually smile winningly at each one that approaches me and say "Sorry, I just signed up with your colleague up the road".

I usually just ignore and walk past them. I did have one who blocked my path dancing backwards in front of me. A frosty fuck off dealt with him. Anyone coming to the door is just told that I never deal with unsolicited callers, and the door is firmly shit. My DP is a bit of a soft touch unfortunately, and signed up for one only to be pestered constantly to increase his donation.

Shut not shit!!!

I always feel really bad ignoring them but I don't really know why. I know I don't owe them anything but it must be a shit job, I would hate it. I work in a city centre so I walk past about 7 a day. I can't give to them all. And it's irritating as fuck being asked again and again by often the same people day after day. I usually mumble something about going to work but now I think I will just say 'no thank you.'

The worst one ever was a woman who knocked on our door trying to sell LoveFilm and didn't like our answer when we said we weren't interested. DP tried to close the door while she was ranting on about some deal and she put her foot in the doorway to stop him and said 'I suppose you don't want to save money watching films then?!' Really really rude - I lost my temper with her and told her to fuck off my doorstep before I slammed the door with her foot still there
Proper 'get orrrrrf my laaaand' style

If they do try to approach me I usually go for a head-shake or a "sorry, in a hurry" and don't slow down.

--

I tried this with a guy collecting for shelter in Gateshead. And he replied 'surely you have a couple of minutes, YOU (much emphasis on the you!) could stop a child being on the streets tonight for the sake of a few seconds.'

I actually didn't have my bank card on me as I was meeting OH, I had some cash which I felt obliged to offer but he said they can't take cash. I ended up waffling on about not having my bank card (opened my purse to show him this too...thats how bad I felt) and he asked what bank I was with, which I stupidly replied to. He then informed me that if I go into Halifax and answer some security questions about myself, they would give me my account details to set up a DD without me having any actual ID with me. Which gave me an out, off I toddled pretending to be on my way to Halifax...avoided his corner for the rest of the day, though DH upon hearing this wanted to go up and have a word. Was partly my fault though for being sucked in and acting rather doormat-y

It is harrassment really, I don't know why the councils allow it. I hope one day chugging gets banned.

It never used to be a problem.

I sometimes argue with them (" I will not gove you money/bank details as I do not approve of this aggressive way of fund raising!")

Big Issue sellers are different, they have a code of conduct not to harrass or follow people.

I've had a chugger (male) grab my arm to stop me before . I'm happy to donate to charity but hate being coerced - especially physically!!!!!

londonrach "I don't give to bloggers"
Nor should you those bastards get sponsored to the hilt

I just say no thanks and keep walking. I do this with chuggers, Big Issue sellers, the people handing out the free mags (Shortlist/Style?), and Vanquis credit card people, the whole lot.
Chuggers are the biggest pain in the arse, Big Issue sellers and the free mags people usually take no for an answer and seem to appreciate a bit of politeness, but a lot chuggers just come prancing over and wont leave you alone.
I think the charity people who have a little stall but canvas a bit are a separate entity to chuggers, eg Dogs Trust, I think some may be volunteers?
I still wouldnt stop though, as I will never give my details to some person on the street.

Charities, and the Charity Commission, would take a dim view.

Ha ha, as if! Charities and the Charity Commision don't give a flying fuck.

I ignore them, apparently the charities only make any money after a year's DD has gone through. Until then it pays wages for the chuggers and a large proportion goes to the companies owner. If everyone ignored them/ said no they would soon give up

If I'm stopped I tell them I already donate to their charity and cannot afford to up it.

If they're rude or overly persistent I tell them I'll cancel my DD for their behaviour.

Works every time.

I normally say "I'm not 18." I've always looked very young for my age(and not in a cool youthful way, in a 'little girl' kind of way) and am quite short so that works quite well. Now I'm 29 and definitely look over 18 but it still works, I guess even they won't say "you look older'.

ReActiv thanks for the list, I might print it and keep it in my bag, how good would it be to pull that out - then tally points

I just say in a polite voice "I am very sorry I don't speak English" and walk on