WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll ·
31/10/2018 14:12
We stopped at a service station yesterday and I bought something for 75p from WH Smiths, handing over a pound coin. Immediately, the woman on the till smiled at me and asked if I'd like to give to Children in Need. This caught me on the hop and I paused for a few seconds, before saying a non-too-enthusiastic-sounding "Um, OK." She then asked "Shall I put your change in the box, then?" as she moved her hand (with my change in it) towards the charity tin and hovered over it.
I am a generous person when I can afford it and I believe in the cause; however, I have a number of very big misgivings about Children in Need, along with pretty much all of the big businesses charities. I'm not saying they don't do good work, but most of the big household-name ones support projects and principles which I don't, employ dubious fund-raising methods (chuggers, encouraging people to badger friends and family to 'sponsor' them to basically go on a dream holiday etc.) and have very wasteful, bloated infrastructures and many very highly-paid staff.
I have no objection to there being a prominent collecting tin at the checkout or signs inviting people to give, but this really surprised me.
It happened to me once before (in Staples, so several years ago), where I paid for my goods and then the cashier said "We're asking customers if they'd like to give a pound for Childline - do you want to?" Again, Childline/NSPCC do a lot of good, but I also have concerns about the way they're run and some of their principles. On that occasion, I replied "I won't today, thanks" and I could see the visible shock on the faces of the three assistants nearby.
The amount is irrelevant. I'm guessing that they're probably after what, to most people, are relatively small amounts (although you've no way of knowing that people don't have extremely tight budgets with every penny already accounted for); but what would have happened if I'd handed over a £20 to pay for £15.25 - would she have expected me to give nearly a fiver to their chosen charity, or would I have been expected to decide on the spot how much of my own change I was going to ask for back? Whatever is wrong with tins that sit passively on the desk, for if I actively choose to donate?
Before anybody says, I'm fully aware that I could have just said No. I know she was a stranger whom I'm unlikely to see again, but it's very clearly designed to put pressure on you and to make you feel very horrible indeed if you say no. If you do, the previously-smiley assistant's face will drop, as if to say "Oh, you're not the friendly person I thought you were after all - you're one of THEM", there'll be an awkward pause as you dare to take your own change and then she/he and everybody in earshot will assume that you're off to punch a puppy or something.
But AIBU to think that this is a step too far? Am I overthinking this? I know this kind of thing happens at workplaces too, where nobody has to pay their pound for the nominated charity, but if you don't.... It's certainly going to make me actively less inclined to shop at places that do this.
I'm all for charity, but it should be voluntary and not pressured. I want to choose how much I can/will give and which causes I personally want to support. Is this wrong of me?