I'm Seeing Target's Point Now

[Bruzilla]

I hate to sound like Scrooge so long after Christmas, but I think I can better understand now why Target's banning of Salvation Army bell ringers is a good thing. Near our house we have a Target Superstore and a Wal Mart Supercenter right across the highway from one another, and we go to both to get groceries and "stuff" pretty frequently. During Christmas, the Wal Mart had the bell ringers, Target did not, and it was nice to hear the old familiar bell at the Wal Mart.

But since Christmas, everytime we've gone to Wal Mart there's some group at both entrances hitting you up for money when you go in and when you come out. We've had veterans groups, baseball teams, animal leagues, football teams, cheerleader squads, homeless associations, and yesterday there was a mother and two kids (one kid at either door) selling candy bars. When I asked one of the kids what he was collecting money for, he had no idea. His mom just told him to sell candy.

I'm sure these are all great causes (except for the charity of no defined origin yesterday), but I'm getting pretty tired of having to weave past all of these folks with their hands out when I'm just running in to grab some milk. It seems that any money I save by stopping by Wal Mart for a few items is lost by people begging at the door. So now my wife and I are going over to Target more and more. They may not have the selection of Wal Mart, but at least there's no jagernaut of people soliciting you either.

 

[kwillia]

and yesterday there was a mother and two kids (one kid at either door) selling candy bars. When I asked one of the kids what he was collecting money for, he had no idea. His mom just told him to sell candy.

:nomo:

 

[PrchJrkr]

:nomo:

 

[Sharon]

It seems that any money I save by stopping by Wal Mart for a few items is lost by people begging at the door.

What's so hard about walking by the money grabbers? :shrug:

 

[mAlice]

What's so hard about walking by the money grabbers? :shrug:

They're annoying. I hate beggers. I want to smack them every time they approach me.

 

[Sharon]

I want to smack them every time they approach me.

Better yet, stick an empty small soup can in your purse and when they ask for $$$, whip yours out and say, "You first."

 

[starr]

I don't mind the ones that step up and don't harass you. They start to annoy me when they get in front of you and ask you if you want to buy whatever. If I wanted to I would walk over there.

 

[sleuth]

They're annoying. I hate beggers. I want to smack them every time they approach me.

I always try to avoid eye contact.
If you look at 'em... they pounce.

 

[Bruzilla]

What's so hard about walking by the money grabbers? :shrug:

Because I'm a working Republican and I've been so conditioned to involuntary giving that I just can't stop giving to the needy!

 

[Sharon]

I always try to avoid eye contact.
If you look at 'em... they pounce.

You haven't had kids yet, so I can tell you're not making the right face. My kids ask for money all the time and I've got it down to a science...one look makes them go away.

 

[vraiblonde]

I guess I feel like I'm going in to drop a grand on Christmas crap that the recipient will probably just throw away or regift, so I don't mind slipping the Sally a buck or two. And I like the little Girl Sprouts and their cookies - I can pick up some Thin Mints while I'm at the grocery store.

I'm a sucker for a fundraiser - raffle tickets to help the Pigskin football kids, gift wrap for schools, car washes for class trips, change jars for some lady's chemo treatment...I'll contribute. :shrug:

 

[Tonio]

What's so hard about walking by the money grabbers? :shrug:

It's just an annoyance, nothing more. Although I wonder if some of them are tempted to get all self-righteous: "Hey moneybags, there are orphans starving in Indonesia, you sick selfish bastard!"

 

[Hello6]

I'm a sucker for a fundraiser - raffle tickets to help the Pigskin football kids, gift wrap for schools, car washes for class trips, change jars for some lady's chemo treatment...I'll contribute. :shrug:

Dear Vrai:

I am a Nigerian businessman........please deposit 20,000 into my checking account.......

God Bless,

Nigerian Businessman

 

[Tonio]

Dear Vrai:

I am a Nigerian businessman........please deposit 20,000 into my checking account.......

God Bless,

Nigerian Businessman

Remember this Sam Kinison routine? "I'm like anyone else on this planet -- I'm very moved by world hunger. I see the same commercials, with those little kids, starving, and very depressed. I watch those kids and I go, 'Phuque, I know the FILM crew could give this kid a sandwich!' There's a director five feet away going, 'DON'T FEED HIM YET! GET THAT SANDWICH OUTTA HERE! IT DOESN'T WORK UNLESS HE LOOKS HUNGRY!!!' "

 

[alex]

I don't mind if they are off to the side selling or soliciting. I hate that they hang right at the both doors (entrance and exit). But I like that at Lowes and sometimes at Wally World groups will have tables off to the side and sell items. Then you don't feel hunted.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I'm a sucker for a fundraiser - I'll contribute. :shrug:

I'm collecting for my western carribbean cruise... *rattles can*

 

[Lenny]

I always try to avoid eye contact.
If you look at 'em...

...they own your soul!