Thursday, July 22, 2010

How do you react when you see (or are approached by) a street canvasser?

12 comments:

Unknown said...

BIG smile, pat on the arm, "Thank you SO much for your work. I'm not going to give you money today."

Scottie said...

If it's someone begging for an organization I support from an ethical standpoint, I usually lie and tell them I already donate regularly. If it's not, like a pro-life or pro-traditional marriage group, I run to the nearest Starbucks, buy a venti drip, extra hot, then I go back to that area, 'accidentally' spill it on them, then mercilessly mock the way they scream. Then I tip over the nearest full garbage can on top of them

Nah, in all seriousness, I usually just ignore them, no matter who they are. Most of the time, I have my headphones in, so I can just pretend like I'm on the phone.

John said...

Always make eye contact, but politely refuse. I had to do that once for a college group and I thought it was funny the lengths people went to not make eye contact.

Justin said...

I am smiling when saying this: Thank you very much; I am not interested, have a great day and stay cool.

pinchie said...

There are TONS of them in Ballston so I have to deal with it a lot. I walk very briskly so as to look very serious and not to be approached. If this doesn't seem to deter, I wave and say, "gotta get to a meeting!"

Megan D said...

Depends on the canvasser. If they are just handing something out or wanting you to sign something, I am kind. But those punks who get pissed that you will not give money on the street, I have had too many unpleasant interactions with them to even humor them.

Dan said...

Ok, this pisses me off so much: HRC canvasses the street corners by my office fairly, and they ALWAYS leave me alone. Apparently, I look anti-gay. It upsets me.

Mike said...

I ask them if they are looking for signatures or money. If signatures and its something I support, I sign. If money I say Sorry I am a student which is kind of true.

sean said...

Dan, you do look like an asshole, which I'd assume translates to looking anti-gay.

I used to do this for a PIRG. They have fucking quotas. At the end of the day, I'd go into pocket for the amount I was missing and try to make it up the next day.

I neither enjoyed nor lasted long at this job.

KPs and Justin's responses are good.

Sean said...

Oops! Dan, I thought you were someone else. Sorry!

Dan said...

No worries, I feel like there's a presumption of jokiness on QotD :)

Cate said...

i also used to canvass, so i feel for them. but at the same time, i still work in politics and care about these issues and i don't need a canvasser to get me to donate. and i'm not going to donate to an org that is a client. i pretty much don't get why they canvass in dc.

so after all of that goes through my head, i smile at them and say keep up the good work.