Ambushed by charity workers

[Berrylove]

What’s a polite way that actually works to get the charity collectors on the streets to leave me alone?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve given plenty to charity in my life, given food to homeless on my way hone from work etc. But now I’m a young mum struggling to make ends meet, my ability to ‘give’ has obviously changed. Not to mention on the rare occasion I do donate, whether it be to a charity or a busker, it’s a guarantee I’ll be asked for yet another donation only a minute walks away.
Yesterday in my city centre I was walking with my parter and dd, when a mental health awareness person came to ask for a donation, my partner gave to them, which is fine, but then only about 100ft away we were asked again by the same charity, and then again on the next corner! We told both we’d already given to the first guy but the last guy didn’t seem happy still.

I love the idea of charity but AIBU to be sick of being asked and people getting in my path stopping me in the street to ask? I’ve done the old sorry I don’t have any change as it’s just quick and easier than explaining I can’t afford to keep giving my money away to be then told they take card. (Said card guy also said minimum donation was £2.50, shouldn’t I get to choose the donation? He made me feel bad for not wanting to pay that much, I even said that it was a bit expensive for me).
If I gave to everyone that asked I’d need charity myself.

What do you guys do in these situations?

I work in fundraising tell them you have a direct debit/support them already

They’d just ask you to Increase your donation!

Chuggers give me the rage like nothing else!

I deliberately don't look at them or talk to them or engage in any way and walk in a massive arc as far as possible away from them to try and make it clear I don't wish to interact.

They'll often mutter something rude under their breath, usually I just inwardly simmer but very occasionally I'll lose my temper and go over and point out how dare they ask me for money when they are on commission and earning money with every debit sign up.
If they really cared one iota for the charity they'd be giving up their time for free...

I might have told a few particularly rude/pushy ones to go fuck themselves once or twice too.

I swear this is the ONLY good thing about having a resting bitch face!!

Nobody comes near me

Smile at them, lock eyes, laugh if they attempt humour, say "hi!", thank them for their compliments, but whatever you do just don't stop walking!

That's what I always do. I'm not essentially an old misery-guts, and I don't want to have to impersonate one, even for a few seconds, because it disrupts my happy equilibrium. But I'm not giving the fuckers any of my money!

I just say, "Not today, sorry" with a smile and keep walking. Does the trick.

*If you're sufficiently young-looking, just say, 'Sorry, I'm a student' as you walk past'

This just reminded me, my mum, who is in her sixties, usually with my aunt, also in her sixties, responds with a polite smile and says 'we're so sorry but we can't set up a donation as we aren't allowed. We're only 16'
😂😂

I say "I have my own charities that I support but keep up the good work" and I smile and continue.

Hate them. Have a sign on my front door too. Fuckers

I love it when they open with a "Do you care about....". Gives me a chance to say Nope, couldn't give a damn.

I hate them too. I volunteer in a charity shop and the charity sometimes has chuggers in the city centre. I know they can't tell by looking at me that I work for a certain charity, but I get really offended when they ask me to contribute. Because I'm contributing FAR more already than they are by standing in the street harrassing people.

I have RTFT but I just wanted to tell a funny story. I worked in a homeless shelter and a homeless bloke asked me for money in a coffee shop. Another homeless lady I know rushed up to him and said, "you didn't off staff" in a really stern voice. I never knew it was a thing but how lovely and polite. Much nicer than chuggers.

You don't beg off staff FFS!

I walk past them and pretend they’re not there, persisitant ones who try to stop me by standing infront if you get told to do one. I give very generous amounts to charity’s I want to support but beyond that I rarely give anything apart from an odd time on the tube I might give some money to a homeless person if I have change handy or to a poppy collector around Remembrance Sunday.

"I'm really sorry, I know you're looking for donations to this wonderful and deserving charity, but the trouble is I don't speak any English" - in your regular English voice

‘No thanks’
‘Sorry, can’t stop’

Or if you’ve been stopped by the third person in five minutes, yank your earphone out and bark ‘WHAT!’

Chuggers. Hate them.

You don't owe them your time or attention. Ignoring them and walking right past is an option.

Before I felt comfortable doing that, I used to tell my then-toddler DS to run. Then I'd go 'Sorry, can't stop, child to catch!' as I legged it past them.

I ask then for a leaflet with information on where I can send a cheque.

They never have then, so I say breezily 'then I'm not your target audience, goodbye'

I had one the other week who said that I looked like a lovely lady. I replied that looks can be so deceiving, don't you think. I've also been told to smile by one, the week after my dad died. They didn't know what had hit them when I rounded on them!

Pull your phone out and start chatting to non-caller.

@TeaForTara....nowadays even the tin rattlers get paid - unless they are the local hospice nun - they get to keep the first 30 quid in the bucket. Explains why most looks decidedly twitchy and getting unpleasant as it gwrxckiser to Q😱😱

I try not to speak to them but if someone speaks to me directly I always make eye contact, smile, and say 'Sorry, I'm not stopping' and keep on walking. Hasn't failed me in ages.

Just say ‘sorry, not today’ as you walk past without making eye contact. Simple really, they dont exactly grab you by the collar.
And dont feel guilty about it.

@Eggies Love IT

It's the same where I live. I usually walk with my head down and that seems too work, if you avoid eye contact. But the minute you give them eye contact they think they have the chance.

I don't engage, I ignore them.

Or if they speak just say no thanks and don't stop.

No Matter what question, I usually genuinely don't have time to stop even if I spotted a Friend! (Walking to train or on my way to do a chore like queue at post office in a tiny lunch break..I don't have 5 mins to stand defending why they're not dipping into my pocket too!)

I don't think it matters so much what you say so long as you keep moving and avoid prolonged eye contact. Though I suppose being tall and chunky helps with that - no one has ever ventured to physically get in my way like some posters have had!

As an ex-salesperson I remind myself that I'm actually being considerate: since I'm never in a million years going to hand over my bank details in the street I'd be wasting their time by encouraging them to talk to me.