I know I'm a scrooge but damn! Am I the only person bothered by kids standing at the entrance (and exit!) of the grocery store asking me for money for their damned ball team, cheerleading squad or some other thing? I lived in a pretty affluent area and I know most of these kids parents have more money than me and I can't even get in the damn store without them sticking their pail in my face like their entitled? What happened to the days where kids worked for it? Car washes and cookie bakes? I've gotten to the point where I get out a nickel and a dime and drop it in their bucket so they'll get out of my face.....

you should say "I'd pay for a car wash!"

I've been in sales all my life so when ever this happens I tell the kid to SELL IT TO ME! That kid's got to explain ALL the details and convince me that that money is warranted.

Hmm yeah that irritates the mess out of me too. But it is okay to say no, or smile and say no thank you without feeling guilt. You can't help everybody. Just sayin'.

I always tell them, and anyone else that asks for money, that I never carry cash on me and I pay for everything with a debit card these days because it's too dangerous to carry cash. With all the computerated gadgets these days, I'm just glad they haven't advanced enough for the kids to pull out a portable debit card machine and call my bluff.

vainandy said:

I always tell them, and anyone else that asks for money, that I never carry cash on me and I pay for everything with a debit card these days because it's too dangerous to carry cash. With all the computerated gadgets these days, I'm just glad they haven't advanced enough for the kids to pull out a portable debit card machine and call my bluff.

I think that day maybe coming sooner than we think.

vainandy said:

I always tell them, and anyone else that asks for money, that I never carry cash on me and I pay for everything with a debit card these days because it's too dangerous to carry cash. With all the computerated gadgets these days, I'm just glad they haven't advanced enough for the kids to pull out a portable debit card machine and call my bluff.

hahaha- Yeah you're right! I could totally see that happening!

ZombieKitten said:

You say "oh no I gave all my change to (insert rival school sporting fundraiser) already!"

Now that's a good one.

Kids asking money for their school fundraisers and things don't really get on my nerves though because it's something for them. What got on my nerves though, was a few years ago, a kid approached me as I was coming out of Walgreen's and asked me if I would sign an anti abortion petition. I just simply said "I'm pro choice" and the kid politely said "Thank you anyway" and that was the end of that. I've heard the arguments from both sides of the fence and can kinda see both parties reasons for feeling the way they do on the subject. But I saw his parents sitting in the car in the parking lot and I just thought that was lowdown of them to not only use their child for sympathy for signatures but to also have him collecting signatures for something that he's not even old enough to understand and have an opinion of his own yet.

When we went to Boston last year, there were "gangs" on teens in tourist areas asking for donations for their youth-counseling organization (or something like that).

The thing is; they wanted your CREDIT CARD information!

I don't know if they were legit or not...but I can't believe that anyone would give that out to a stranger on the street.

OK! I have one!

Keep one of these in your purse, and when the kids accost you, whip it out to shake in their face, and then grin (with a sparkle in your teeth when you wink) and say "now we're even"

PurpleJedi said:

When we went to Boston last year, there were "gangs" on teens in tourist areas asking for donations for their youth-counseling organization (or something like that).

The thing is; they wanted your CREDIT CARD information!

I don't know if they were legit or not...but I can't believe that anyone would give that out to a stranger on the street.

Hell no! That sounds way wrong!

edited.

[Edited 7/5/11 8:46am]

ZombieKitten said:

OK! I have one!

Keep one of these in your purse, and when the kids accost you, whip it out to shake in their face, and then grin (with a sparkle in your teeth when you wink) and say "now we're even"

yall some evil ass no kid having jokas...

myfavorite said:

I'm not sure which is worse, rich kids asking me to pay for their uniforms instead of their parents, or suspecting that some kids are not really on a team at all but simply running a brilliant scam.

I make them do a little dance before I give them any money. Or maybe some push-ups.

PenelopePaige said:

I know I'm a scrooge but damn! Am I the only person bothered by kids standing at the entrance (and exit!) of the grocery store asking me for money for their damned ball team, cheerleading squad or some other thing? I lived in a pretty affluent area and I know most of these kids parents have more money than me and I can't even get in the damn store without them sticking their pail in my face like their entitled? What happened to the days where kids worked for it? Car washes and cookie bakes? I've gotten to the point where I get out a nickel and a dime and drop it in their bucket so they'll get out of my face.....

Yeah,it's annoying to me too, but at least they're trying to make an honest hustle. It actually gives them good life and work skills so that when they actually get into the working world they become effective salespeople.

missfee said:

Hmm yeah that irritates the mess out of me too. But it is okay to say no, or smile and say no thank you without feeling guilt. You can't help everybody. Just sayin'.

Whenever someone approaches me, asking for money, I either just ignore them, or smile at them and say, "No thank you!" Same thing when these organizations send me stuff in the mail, trying to get me to donate. I don't give them any money either. Now, if I were in the financial position to donate, I most definitely would. But I work two part-time jobs that barely cover my living expenses right now. Whatcha gonna do? Times are hard now for a lot of folks.

Have you considered saying "no thanks" with mace?

ZombieKitten said:

myfavorite said:

yall some evil ass no kid having jokas...

I have 3, Tammy Every year I have to sell this huge carton of cadbury chocolate for the school. So I just buy all $50 of it to take the pressure off. When people come to the door to sell me stuff I whip out he carton. Once a lady came to try selling me Cadbury chocolates. She was very confused when I brought my box to the door saying I'll buy one of yours if you buy one of mine. Done, deal, even.

haha

johnart said:

Have you considered saying "no thanks" with a mace?

choose your weapon...

i sold my ass off when my babies were lil....even won a sony trinatronic color tv for one contest...lol

but at the store, i already dont wanna be there, trying to pinch evey penny in the face of MUCH temptation....then here come the lil guilt trips with their uniforms on and they work soooo hard to give their lil speeches and as adorable as they are, i need my change for cigarettes....:shame:

i tell them i will see them when i come out of the store and most times i forget....if they do confront me i say...wait doll, let me put the groceries in the car and most times if im convicted i'll go back with my lil 3 dollars...lol

ren...stop being evil.

johnart said:

Have you considered saying "no thanks" with mace?

I'll get those Girl Scouts next year!!

RenHoek said:

johnart said:

Have you considered saying "no thanks" with a mace?

choose your weapon...

Oh damn, that's gonna leave a mark.
I guess I meant maSe. But either's good depending on how hard the sell.

Michelesky said:

johnart said:

Have you considered saying "no thanks" with mace?

I'll get those Girl Scouts next year!!

mcmeekle said:

I make them do a little dance before I give them any money. Or maybe some push-ups.

...even the Girl Scouts selling cookies?

Play them at their own game. Keep approaching them and asking them loads of questions about what they are saving for. Keep doing this. I mean long drawn out questions. And repeat yourself many times in a subtle way that suggests you have alzheimers. They will eventually get tired of you, especially if you are only flicking a nickel in each time. It is alot of effort on your part initially, but you well see the fruits of your labour in no time flat. Let me know if that little stunt works out for you hunni, all the best

I once had a twentysomething dude come up to my door and give me a spiel about being homeschooled, and finding happiness in Jesus, and looking forward to college, then try to sell me magazine subscriptions as a fundraiser for his scholarship program.

When I politely said 'no, I don't read magazines' and then 'no, I don't have a donation to give you' he gave me attitude and stormed off in a huff.