To have given the lady running this stall an honest answer

[comeandhaveteawithme]

Yesterday I was with my kids at a local event, there were several stalls there, some vendors, some charities promoting and fundraising. As we passed the cats' protection league and a lady popped up and said "hello, do you like cats?" and I answered "no".

It wasn't an aggressive "NO" it was a casual, very slightly cheery, slightly apologetic "no". Just an honest and polite and answer to her question - or so I thought and intended.

She said "Oh... OK.. well do you like dogs?" and I answered "yes" and she said, "oh that's good, so you do like animals then?" and I said, "yes, mostly". And then I had a polite glance around her stall, I said "enjoy the rest of the day" and she said "you too" and we moved on.

My DH and 12yo DS can't believe that I told a lady from the cat's protection league that I don't like cats and that it was really rude.

I don't think I was rude, but I am an honest person, and I gave her an honest answer.

So what do you think? rude or not?

Disclaimer This is not a debate about liking or not liking cats. Please do not derail the thread. I will not be discussing my reasons here. We have recently had a cat opinions thread, go there if you wish.
If you really can't handle it, replace the word cats with "chocolate". A lady from the chocolate protection league asked me if I like chocolate - You can do this!!

It's only rude if you don't like dogs in this country.

Well, no, it wouldn't have "hurt" but it would have wasted my time and hers because it wouldn't have ended there.

I think I donate to Unicef every month entirely for this reason.
and I sold charity subscriptions door to door as a student

I had an NSPCC chugger ask me if I liked children. I said no . I had my 2 with me at the time

In my opinion she's being rude accosting passers-by with a hook question. So you can answer what you like. I prefer choosing my own charities at my leisure by research. I'd prefer they didn't spend their resources on paying people minimum wage to bother members of the public on the street. At its worst the technique can be really exploitative, most likely to pick up those who can't really afford it.

I usually say 'no thanks' which answers the question they're really asking which is will you give us some money.

All fine OP. I think if you go around asking people if they like cats you have to be prepared for both "No" and people's attempts at humour.

I feel bad for the woman as I expect she was a well-meaning volunteer but that's not on you.

I told a chugger rattling a box for Save the Childre that I didn't like children.

I was really annoyed by a stallholder at a home shop once. He got all handwavy at us when we walked past, and when we ignored him, loudly talked about the manners of SOME PEOPLE.

But he's not performing us a service - he wants to make money, and waving at every one of the THOUSANDS of people at the show isn't going to get you a 100% sales rate. And a shitty attitude probably put off people from approaching if they are there to look at windows, or doors or whatever.

YANBU I love cats, I would have said No to her just to get away easy haha

(I do give to animal charities but no one can afford to get sucked in every time)

Is that Emily's sister?

Sorry

I have two dogs and three cats. I love them all, and generally love animals and support chosen animal charities.

I was at an event recently and someone from an animal charity stall approached me and asked me if I liked dogs. I said “no”, and he left me alone. I really hate these types of approaches that aim to part people from their money by emotional blackmail. If he has said something like “we’re raising money to fund X/Y/Z for our animal charity”, I’d have appreciated it much more, and would likely have engaged with him.

Same as when I’m walking along a busy street and some idiot chugger with a clipboard approaches me and asks if I want to end child hunger, I say no to that too and keep walking. Really stumps them!

I really miss the laugh reaction 😂

My DH is happy to tell anyone that he doesn't like cats - especially our cat loving friends! They just make sure they don't let him near their cats! (Not that he'd ever harm one).

My old neighbour, who was a huge animal, and in particular, cat lover, always told me she only supported animal charities and not 'human' ones. Fair enough - we are mostly the opposite, far preferring to support people than animals.

My DH would have said exactly the same as you if he'd been asked in the same way.

I just don’t get this… someone asked her a question, she answered how is that blunt?

My friend collects for the CPL and regularly gets told that people don’t like cats. Her response, authorised by them, is that the organisation neuters stray cats, so it’s win-win!

I always answer these random charity collection or sales people in such a way that they can't continue to pester me. Usually they ask if "you've got a minute" so they can spend 10-15 minutes wearing you down about cats/dogs/double glazing. Usually "no, busy, bye" or lately "i just don't want to, thanks" always with a smile though. 😁

I agree, not rude, just honest. I'd have said the same.

I don't hate cats. I've had several over the years, in fact we have a<now> very elderly cat who adopted us when her owner developed dementia (she died 3 years ago) & the cat decided that living with us was the preferable option. I think the dementia freaked the cat out as these things often do to animals.

But I prefer dogs.

This is pant wetting hilarious 😹

Personally I wouldn’t have said a flat No and agree it’s the way it was said that’s important. I’m not really a cat person but would have answered “tbh I prefer dogs” with a smile

As a lady of a 'certain age' I think that I'm a target for charity collectors & often get stopped in the street. I always say something along the lines of 'Hello, thank you for collecting for such a worthy cause, but I have standing orders to donate to my preferred charities as they can rely on that regular income and I don't have the spare money to donate to anyone else. So I'll have to say no thank you. <checks watch> Goodness me! I'm late meeting my daughter so will have to wish you a good day. Byeee'

This thread is reminding me of the brilliant Nacho Libre. ‘I HATE ORPHANS’.

I hate dem.

We were exiting a supermarket after a trying traipse round the aisles with me trying to shop and OH pushing the trolley but getting in the way, wandering about aimlessly and putting random things in the trolley, which I had to put back on the shelves. Anyway, a guy with a poster 'advertising' Alzheimer's said 'Alzheimer's?' to which I responded 'No thanks, I've already got one'.
Yes, OH does have Alzheimer's.
Do I feel bad ? Nope.

I love cats. But I also like the idea that you should be able to go about your business without being accosted for your money, time and attention and I can't see a problem with your mild, honest response. A while ago, we had people from those no-win, no fee firms touting for customers in the town centre. They weren't content to just have a stall there, they'd actually approach people. Some of those people were ill, in pain, incapacitated in some way from an accident or maybe just aggrieved and looking for someone to blame for their misfortune. It was really unsavoury. You should have heard me snarl "ruddy ambulance chasers!" at one or two of them.

I had the exact same thing in Morrisons the other day but the other way around. It was the Dogs Trust people, they asked if I liked dogs as I was walking by with my children and in a bit of a rush. I just said “not really, I’m a cat person”. But they just said “okay” and that was it

I love cats, but I would not be offended by your reply if it was polite. Some people like cats or dogs, some people don't. it's a free country.

I was merely trying to convey that I would prefer for the thread not to go that way and that I won't be participating if it does.

ooooh that’s us told! 😆