To give or not to give.......

I have once again run the gauntlet at the shops , ducking and weaving hawkers who are working  for charities - I say it loud and proud because I am so upset with myself that I have turned into one of those arrogant shoppers who races past these Angels of mercy , gaze averted like I am competing against Usain Bolt🏃🏃

I pride myself on giving to charities and so this current trend worries me and makes me take stock of how I am reduced to this sorry state of affairs.

I always answer door knockers politely and even though I often have to be blunt I listen to them and then give my reasons for declining their offer, gently closing the door.

I remember the gentleman who when told the 3 charities to which I regularly donate, proceeded to convince me that I should shuffle my charitable donations.

He explained that his charity was so good it received significant government assistance - to which I answered - 'you don't need me then....'

Having trudged the streets of strike ridden Newman many years ago, attempting to sell unseen Perth investment properties to families who were living off savings in the midst of by then  a ten week strike, I am well versed with the pitfalls of cold selling.

I was accosted my dogs and feral drink sodden miners and shut out by gates and alarm systems that would do any prison proud.

It is a confronting business.

You do have to take deep breaths and take the good with the bad - much like life😀

You never know what each day will bring but you do know that you have to keep plugging away as on top of your meagre retainer you may actually get commission if you go that extra yard.

I also sold door to door Gold Platter books , flogging entertainment restaurant vouchure books.

Remember this was an era pre Internet and WWW and these offers were fresh and novel and only  available from underpaid,struggling job seekers. Even with that said it was an unenviable trade and except for the fact that you could hone your diplomacy and conflict management skills was a job best avoided unless DESPERATE.

I was my fittest during this period as I walked non stop up hill and down and often had need to sprint away from savage dogs .

Do these charities not realise that we are besieged by fb, snail mail and phone marketers all touting their wares!?

I hate to be off hand and ignore these undeniably deserving charities but I simply have to say No .

They really do themselves no service as we gradually are becoming  a society who looks away and pretends that we are busy rather than deal with the sad realisation of another charity in a line of so many.Shaming potential donors seems to be another preferred stratagem employed by the shopping centre spruikers - 'yes I imagine there are a lot of blind people in the world....'

I wholeheartedly support all charities and their devotion to raising funds for worthy causes.I just wish there was a better way of drumming up funds. Shopping centre approaches involve signing away monthly contributions on credit/ debit cards - whatever happened to a gold coins or a spare note proffered when a gently shaken can is extended 

I love Salavation Army as the can shakers have been true to the spirit of giving for so long and I trust and respect their perseverance and endurance - maybe that is what other charities will have to do - tread the boards until we all look at them with a sympathetic eye and a willing purse

 

Comments

[Lindy]

Love your blogs Chris !!! Xxx

[Fiona]

So true. It is horrible. All of it.