Yesterday I was at a drug store and while i was shopping, a preteen girl approached me.
"Excuse me," she said. "I'm collecting money for my soccer team. Are you able to make a donation?"
I was really surprised. I've never been asked for money randomly while shopping at a store. I told her no, mostly because I was upset she interrupted me (I had my headphones in and I had to remove them to hear her). But part of me was tempted to either tell her what she was doing would get her kicked out of the store, or else let the management know.
Then I thought I'd seem like a horrible person if I did that. So I didn't.
What would you have done in that situation?
I would have said "Sorry, no", put the headphones back in and never give it a second thought. Why would you tell management?
ReplyDeleteSo she could be told this was not appropriate?
DeleteA high school student where I was teaching came up to me and ask me to give her money toward a club activity.(no, I didn't) I wish now that I'd pointed out that what she was basically panhandling.
ReplyDeleteI mean, at least gloss begging up by calling it a fundraiser and produce a poster or two.
If she had been outside the store with signs, it would have been totally different. But yes, it was panhandling!
DeleteI'd say no and let it go. But if more kids approached me or if I saw her doing it on more than that one day, I'd probably report it.
ReplyDeleteI may as well also say that I don't like the idea of kids/teens fundraising via purely asking for money. At least try to sell an overpriced cookie or wash a car for it.
Yeah, I always buy from bake sales.
DeleteI will buy one of X from any kid that comes to my door. Or from any kid who I know who asks, or whose parents I know who ask. And if a kid came on Halloween with a Unicef milk carton (do they even do those anymore?) or anything like that, I'd give them money then.
DeleteTables set up outside of stores or in store lobbies are toss-ups-- I'll buy if it's something I want, but not otherwise. Usually it's not something I want and I just say no. I think in many ways, it's become too easy for people to ask for things at stores, and it's fostered in me a lot of resistance. I can't buy groceries without being asked if I want to donate to some cause or another, asked to sign a petition, or asked to buy some random stuff from kids or a cause in the lobby. Sometimes I get hit up with 3 requests on the same trip-- one coming in, one at check-out, and one exiting. I would love to be someone who who's okay with being asked to support all of the small causes, but it's just too much.
Most kids groups get permission from the store for their fundraisers. Yes it feels like panhandling, but she probably had permission to do it. Honestly I would rather they ask for money than me buy some junk food or crap I will end up tossing. Why should you be mad? Some kids cant afford club sports etc and most of those are 501c3 for that reason so they can fund raise to be able to participate.
ReplyDeleteThere is zero chance the store told the girl she was allowed to wander around the store and ask people for money. I have dealt with stores and asked to fundraise with a sign outside and it was REALLY challenging to set up... most said no to that. I'm happy to give money to causes, but it was the way she did it that I found unacceptable.
DeleteI think I might have given her some money, and suggested that maybe she should ask permission from the store about it all...sometimes kids don't realize.
ReplyDelete